Reviewed case brief

Lee v Lee's Air Farming Ltd

[1961] AC 12

Mr Lee formed a company for aerial top-dressing, holding 2,999 of 3,000 shares and serving as sole governing director, while also being employed as chief pilot. He died in a flying accident, and his widow claimed workers' compensation. The Privy Council held that Lee and the company were separate le

separate-legal-entityone-man-companyemployee-directordual-capacity
Court
Privy Council
Year
1961
Subjects
Company Law
Reviewed
2026-06-30

Rule established

A person who is the controlling shareholder and governing director of a company can also be an employee of that company

Facts

    Issues

      Held

        Ratio decidendi

        How to use it in an exam

        Editorial source

        Privy Council (New Zealand)

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