This case established that a defendant property owner cannot claim contributory negligence against a burglar injured while trespassing on their property. The Court of Appeal held that while property owners can use reasonable force to protect their property, they cannot reduce damages by arguing the burglar contributed to their own injury through the criminal act of burglary.

Leading Court of Appeal case establishing the principles of contributory negligence in road traffic accidents, specifically regarding the failure to wear a seatbelt. The case set out percentage reductions in damages based on the extent to which injuries would have been reduced.

House of Lords case on the scope of duty of care owed to persons in police custody who are at risk of suicide. The case clarified that contributory negligence can apply even where the very act the defendant had a duty to prevent causes the damage.

Court of Appeal case establishing the defence of volenti non fit injuria (voluntary assumption of risk) in extreme circumstances. The case involved a drunken flight where the passenger was held to have voluntarily assumed the obvious and extreme risks.

A woman was trapped in a public toilet cubicle due to a defective lock and injured herself trying to escape by climbing on the toilet roll holder. The Court of Appeal found the council liable for negligence but reduced damages by 25% due to the claimant's contributory negligence in attempting a dangerous method of escape.

Court of Appeal case establishing that claims arising from joint participation in criminal activity may be barred by public policy (ex turpi causa). The case involved a fatal motorcycle accident during dangerous and criminal driving encouraged by the passenger.

No liability for damage to property already damaged by another tortfeasor.

A woman claimed damages after allegedly finding a decomposed snail in a bottle of ginger beer, becoming ill as a result. This case established the modern law of negligence and the 'neighbour principle' - that we owe a duty of care to those who might reasonably be affected by our actions.

Negligent hospital escapes liability due to lack of causation

This case concerned whether an employer was liable for an employee's suicide that occurred as a result of clinical depression caused by a workplace accident. The House of Lords established that employers can be held liable for an employee's suicide if it results from psychiatric injury caused by the original negligence.

House of Lords clarifies causation test in medical negligence claims

An employee was injured by a stone falling from a crane while working in a railway cutting. The employer argued the defence of volenti non fit injuria. The House of Lords held that mere continued working with knowledge of danger does not establish voluntary assumption of risk.

Tortfeasor not liable for losses from unrelated supervening illness

Defendants liable if type of harm foreseeable, even if manner unforeseeable

Medical negligence requires proof of causation despite multiple potential causes.

Rylands v Fletcher established the rule of strict liability for damage caused by the escape of dangerous things accumulated on land. This landmark case created a new tort principle that makes landowners liable for harm caused by hazardous substances kept on their property, regardless of fault or negligence.

Defendant liable for victim's unforeseeable reaction to assault

Defendant liable when reasonably foreseeable that vulnerable victim could suffer harm

House of Lords establishes liability for omission after creating dangerous situation

House of Lords establishes three-stage test for duty of care in negligence

Concurrent liability in contract and tort possible; Hedley Byrne extends to services.

No general duty to prevent third parties causing harm; liability requires special circumstances.

Railway gatekeeper convicted for manslaughter by omission after failing duty

Mitigation duty requires reasonable steps but not complex litigation against third parties.

Medical negligence rarely breaks chain of causation in homicide cases

Divisible injury: damages apportioned where only part of harm attributable to defendant's breach

Tortfeasor liable for full damages despite victim's subsequent unrelated injury

Unintentional personal injury claims must be brought in negligence, not trespass.

Duty of care extends to pure economic loss for defective flooring where special relationship exists

Unforeseeable chemical reaction made explosion damages too remote despite negligence.