Reviewed case brief

Stanley v. Powell

[1891] 1 QB 86

[1891] 1 QB 86 · Queen's Bench Division (England)

inevitable-accidentdefencesreasonable-carenegligence
Court
Queen's Bench Division (England)
Year
1891
Subjects
Law of Torts
Reviewed
2026-08-02

Rule established

Where harm results despite the defendant's exercise of full reasonable care, through a genuinely unforeseeable and unavoidable occurrence, this constitutes an inevitable accident excusing liability.

Facts

    Issues

      Held

        Ratio decidendi

        How to use it in an exam

        Editorial source

        [1891] 1 QB 86

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