Court of Appeal held that proprietary estoppel could give rise to a fee simple absolute rather than just a licence where a woman had relied on her partner's assurance that a house was hers.

Yaxley agreed orally with Gotts to renovate a building in exchange for a long lease of the ground floor. After completing the work, Gotts refused to grant the lease. The Court of Appeal held that proprietary estoppel gave Yaxley an interest in the land enforceable despite lack of written formalities required by s.2 Law of Property (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1989.

This Court of Appeal case established proprietary estoppel as a cause of action where assurance, reliance and detriment create an equity that courts will satisfy through appropriate remedies, including granting property rights.

A farm worker who worked for low wages for 40 years in reliance on repeated assurances of inheritance successfully claimed the farm through proprietary estoppel when the promises were withdrawn.

A father-in-law allowed his son-in-law to live rent-free in his house and make improvements, creating an expectation of continued occupation. After the daughter's death and son-in-law's remarriage, the father-in-law sought possession. The Court of Appeal held that although an equity arose, it had been satisfied by 18 years of rent-free occupation.

A son built a bungalow on his father's land at the father's suggestion. After the father died without leaving a will, the court held the son had acquired an equitable interest through proprietary estoppel.

A father gave his son a deed of gift for land, and the son spent money improving it in reliance on the gift. The court held the son acquired an equitable interest despite defects in the legal conveyance.

Promissory estoppel is a shield not a sword: cannot found cause of action.

Promissory estoppel can found a cause of action in Australian law where unconscionable reliance occurs

Equity prevents enforcement of rights where party induced reliance on representations.

Property rights require definiteness, identifiability, and third-party enforceability to constitute proprietary interests.

Court creates promissory estoppel doctrine preventing landlord claiming full rent arrears

Pre-contractual representations can create collateral warranties and negligent misrepresentation liability.

Unfair prejudice requires breach of legitimate expectations based on actual agreements or understandings.

Long-term exclusive dealing agreements may constitute unreasonable restraints of trade.

Equity enforces secret trusts to prevent fraud despite apparent contradiction of statutory formalities.

Restrictive covenants can bind future landowners in equity despite lack of privity

Contractual licences with equity can bind third party purchasers with notice

Trustees cannot profit from their position even without fraud or misconduct

Statements of opinion constitute misrepresentation if maker lacks reasonable grounds.

Equitable mistake allows rescission where enforcement would be unconscionable despite valid contract.

Fiduciaries must account for unauthorized profits despite acting honestly

Woman gains property interest through detrimental reliance despite no financial contribution