Reviewed case brief
Pinnel's Case
(1602) 5 Co Rep 117a; 77 ER 237
## Summary
- Court
- Court of Common Pleas (England)
- Year
- 1602
- Subjects
- Law of Contract I
- Reviewed
- 2026-06-23
Rule established
Payment of a lesser sum on the day it is due cannot be satisfaction for a greater sum; but payment of a lesser sum before the day, or at a different place, or with a chattel (horse, hawk, robe) may discharge the whole.
Facts
Issues
Held
Ratio decidendi
How to use it in an exam
Editorial source
(1602) 5 Co Rep 117a; verified via Wikipedia, lawteacher.net, ipsaloquitur.com, ebsco.com
Educational summary only. Read the reported judgment or an authorised law report before relying on the case professionally.