Reviewed case brief

Planché v. Colburn

(1831) 8 Bing 14; 131 ER 305

(1831) 8 Bing 14; 131 ER 305 · Court of Common Pleas (England)

quantum-meruitpartial-performancewrongful-terminationbreachreasonable-remuneration
Court
Court of Common Pleas (England)
Year
1831
Subjects
Law of Contract I
Reviewed
2026-08-02

Rule established

Where one party has partially performed a contract which is then wrongfully terminated by the other party, the performer may claim quantum meruit for the work done, abandoning the contractual rate and claiming reasonable value instead.

Facts

    Issues

      Held

        Ratio decidendi

        How to use it in an exam

        Editorial source

        (1831) 8 Bing 14; 131 ER 305; verified via e-lawresources.co.uk, casemine.com, umn.edu, wikisource.org

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