Reviewed case brief

American Cyanamid Co. v. Ethicon Ltd.

[1975] AC 396

## Summary

CPCtemporary-injunctioninterlocutoryserious-questionbalance-of-convenienceUK-authority
Court
House of Lords (UK)
Year
1975
Subjects
Civil Procedure Code and Law of Limitation
Reviewed
2026-06-29

Rule established

At interlocutory stage, the court should not resolve contested questions of fact or law; it need only satisfy itself there is a serious question to be tried, then consider balance of convenience. Widely adopted in Indian courts alongside the Dalpat Kumar test.

Facts

    Issues

      Held

        Ratio decidendi

        How to use it in an exam

        Editorial source

        [1975] AC 396; verified via chambers.com, standard CPC references

        Educational summary only. Read the reported judgment or an authorised law report before relying on the case professionally.