Reviewed case brief

Gorris v. Scott

(1874) LR 9 Ex 125

(1874) LR 9 Ex 125 · Court of Exchequer

mischief-rulestatutory-purposecausationcontagious-diseasessheep
Court
Court of Exchequer
Year
1874
Subjects
Interpretation of Statutes
Reviewed
2026-08-02

Rule established

Where a statute is enacted for a specific purpose (preventing spread of disease), breach of that statute does not give a cause of action for a loss (sheep washed overboard) unrelated to the mischief the statute was designed to prevent.

Facts

    Issues

      Held

        Ratio decidendi

        How to use it in an exam

        Editorial source

        (1874) LR 9 Ex 125

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