Reviewed case brief

Rylands v Fletcher

(1868) LR 3 HL 330

(1868) LR 3 HL 330 · House of Lords

strict-liabilitynon-natural-useescapeabsolute-liabilityfoundational
Court
House of Lords
Year
1868
Subjects
Jurisprudence, Law of Torts
Reviewed
2026-08-02

Rule established

A person who brings on his land something likely to do mischief if it escapes is strictly liable for all damage caused by its escape, regardless of fault.

Facts

    Issues

      Held

        Ratio decidendi

        How to use it in an exam

        Editorial source

        (1868) LR 3 HL 330

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