Devlin v. Jeffray's Trustees [1902] ScotLR 40_92 (18 November 1902)

Devlin v. Jeffray's Trustees [1902] ScotLR 40_92 (18 November 1902)

Ownership alone does not impose liability for injuries caused by dangerous unfenced pits on leased land absent invitation or proximity to a road; no relevant averments of invitation or duty; owner not liable.

Citation
[1902] ScotLR 40_92
Parties
Pursuer/appellant: John Devlin; Defenders/respondents: Trustees of the late John Jeffray of Cardowan
Jurisdiction
Scotland
Judgment Date
18 November 1902
Procedural Posture
Reparation (damages) Action / Appeal From Dismissal for Irrelevancy
Outcome
appeal refused; dismissal affirmed
Legal Topics
Negligence, Duty to Public, Liability of Landowners, Obligation to Fence Dangerous Places, Invitation to Public, Lease and Occupation

Case Brief

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Parties

John Devlin

Pursuer/appellant

Trustees of the late John Jeffray of Cardowan

Defenders/respondents

Procedural Posture

Reparation (damages) Action / Appeal From Dismissal for Irrelevancy

  1. 1 Whether landowners are liable for injuries caused by dangerous unfenced pits on leased land used by children with owner's knowledge but without express invitation
  2. 2 Whether mere ownership imposes a duty to fence dangerous places absent invitation or proximity to a road

Ratio Decidendi

Ownership alone does not impose liability for injuries caused by dangerous unfenced pits on leased land absent invitation or proximity to a road; no relevant averments of invitation or duty; owner not liable.

Court Disposition

appeal refused; dismissal affirmed

Orders

  • action dismissed
  • judgment of Sheriff-Substitute affirmed