Reviewed case brief

Taylor v. Caldwell

(1863) 3 B&S 826; 122 ER 309

(1863) 3 B&S 826; 122 ER 309 · Court of Queen's Bench (England)

frustrationimpossibilitydestruction-of-subject-matterdischargeimplied-conditionsupervening-event
Court
Court of Queen's Bench (England)
Year
1863
Subjects
Law of Contract I
Reviewed
2026-08-02

Rule established

Where the performance of a contract depends on the continued existence of a specific thing, destruction of that thing without fault of either party discharges both parties from their obligations (doctrine of frustration).

Facts

    Issues

      Held

        Ratio decidendi

        How to use it in an exam

        Editorial source

        (1863) 3 B&S 826; 122 ER 309; verified via Wikipedia, umn.edu, lawteacher.net, opencasebook.org

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