Reviewed case brief

Raffles v. Wichelhaus

(1864) 2 H&C 906; 159 ER 375

(1864) 2 H&C 906; 159 ER 375 · Court of Exchequer (England)

Court: Court of Exchequer (England)
Year: 1864
Subjects: Law of Contract I
Reviewed: 2026-08-02

Rule established

Where a key term of the contract is ambiguous and the parties attach different meanings to it (mutual/bilateral mistake), there is no consensus ad idem and the contract is void.

Facts

Issues

Held

Ratio decidendi

How to use it in an exam

Editorial source

(1864) 2 H&C 906; 159 ER 375; verified via Wikipedia, ipsaloquitur.com, lawteacher.net, briefspro.com, legalthree.com

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