Tom Clark v Omar Elbanna

Tom Clark v Omar Elbanna

The defendant failed to exercise the degree of care appropriate in the circumstances by running directly at the claimant at full speed, making no attempt to avoid or soften the collision, thereby courting a foreseeable risk of serious injury. This conduct constituted negligence under the legal test for duty of care in a sporting context.

Parties
Defendant/appellant: Mr Tom Clark; Claimant/respondent: Mr Omar Elbanna
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
24 June 2025
Procedural Posture
Civil Appeal / Appeal From High Court Judgment
Outcome
Appeal dismissed; Respondent’s Notice upheld; liability for negligence established.
Legal Topics
Negligence, Duty of Care, Recklessness, Personal Injury, Sporting Context

Case Brief

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Parties

Mr Tom Clark

Defendant/appellant

Mr Omar Elbanna

Claimant/respondent

Procedural Posture

Civil Appeal / Appeal From High Court Judgment

  1. 1 Whether the defendant breached the duty of care owed to the claimant in a sporting context
  2. 2 Whether recklessness or negligence was established
  3. 3 Whether the risk of serious injury was foreseeable

Ratio Decidendi

The defendant failed to exercise the degree of care appropriate in the circumstances by running directly at the claimant at full speed, making no attempt to avoid or soften the collision, thereby courting a foreseeable risk of serious injury. This conduct constituted negligence under the legal test for duty of care in a sporting context.

Court Disposition

Appeal dismissed; Respondent’s Notice upheld; liability for negligence established.

Orders

  • Appeal dismissed
  • Liability for negligence affirmed