Reviewed case brief

Krell v. Henry

[1903] 2 KB 740

## Summary

frustrationfrustration-of-purposecoronation-casesfoundation-of-contractsupervening-eventdischarge
Court
Court of Appeal (England)
Year
1903
Subjects
Law of Contract I
Reviewed
2026-06-23

Rule established

A contract is frustrated where the fundamental purpose for which both parties entered the contract ceases to exist due to a supervening event, even though literal performance remains physically possible — the doctrine of frustration of purpose.

Facts

    Issues

      Held

        Ratio decidendi

        How to use it in an exam

        Editorial source

        [1903] 2 KB 740; verified via Wikipedia, opencasebook.org, lawteacher.net, trans-lex.org, uollb.com

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