Reviewed case brief

Donoghue v. Stevenson

[1932] AC 562

[1932] AC 562 · House of Lords (UK)

negligenceduty-of-careneighbour-principlesnail-in-bottletort-law
Court
House of Lords (UK)
Year
1932
Subjects
Jurisprudence, Law of Torts
Reviewed
2026-08-02

Rule established

A duty of care is owed to persons who are so closely and directly affected by one's act that one ought reasonably to have them in contemplation (the 'neighbour principle').

Facts

    Issues

      Held

        Ratio decidendi

        How to use it in an exam

        Editorial source

        [1932] AC 562 (House of Lords)

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