Gilchrists v. Whyte [1907] ScotLR 699 (31 May 1907)

Gilchrists v. Whyte [1907] ScotLR 699 (31 May 1907)

The defender's agent's statement was not a representation but an expression of opinion; no relevant averment of breach of contract or actionable representation was made. Losses incurred by pursuers were part of abortive negotiations and not recoverable. Action dismissed.

Citation
[1907] ScotLR 699
Parties
Pursuer: Jessie Herbert Gilchrist; Pursuer: Margaret Agnes Gilchrist; Defender: William M'Nicol Whyte
Jurisdiction
Scotland
Judgment Date
31 May 1907
Procedural Posture
Civil / Appeal From Sheriff Court Decision
Outcome
action dismissed
Legal Topics
Recompense, Heritable Loan, Damages for Abortive Negotiations, Reliance on Representations

Case Brief

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

More case intelligence is available

Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.

Full judgment text Downloadable case file Legal principles 3 Authorities cited 14 Party arguments 2 Amounts and remedies 3
Sign in to unlock

Parties

Jessie Herbert Gilchrist

Pursuer

Margaret Agnes Gilchrist

Pursuer

William M'Nicol Whyte

Defender

Procedural Posture

Civil / Appeal From Sheriff Court Decision

  1. 1 Whether pursuers are entitled to damages for expenses incurred in reliance on defender's representations during negotiations for a heritable loan
  2. 2 Whether defender's agent's statement constituted a representation sufficient to found liability for expenses
  3. 3 Whether there was a concluded contract for a loan over heritage

Ratio Decidendi

The defender's agent's statement was not a representation but an expression of opinion; no relevant averment of breach of contract or actionable representation was made. Losses incurred by pursuers were part of abortive negotiations and not recoverable. Action dismissed.

Court Disposition

action dismissed

Orders

  • appeal sustained
  • interlocutor appealed against recalled