Riddell v. Glasgow Corporation [1911] UKHL 399 (16 March 1911)

Riddell v. Glasgow Corporation [1911] UKHL 399 (16 March 1911)

The tax collector had no authority, express or implied, to make statements or express opinions regarding the genuineness of receipts; such utterances were outside the scope of his employment. Therefore, the Corporation is not vicariously liable for the slander.

Citation
[1911] UKHL 399
Parties
Pursuer (respondent): Riddell; Defenders (appellants): Glasgow Corporation
Jurisdiction
United Kingdom
Judgment Date
16 March 1911
Procedural Posture
Appeal (reparation Slander) / House of Lords Final Judgment
Outcome
Appeal allowed; order of lower court reversed with expenses to appellants.
Legal Topics
Vicarious Liability, Slander, Scope of Employment, Master and Servant
Tort Law Employment Law Vicarious Liability Slander Scope of Employment Master and Servant

Case Brief

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Parties

Riddell

Pursuer (respondent)

Glasgow Corporation

Defenders (appellants)

Procedural Posture

Appeal (reparation Slander) / House of Lords Final Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the employer (Glasgow Corporation) is vicariously liable for slander uttered by its servant (tax collector) in the course of employment.

Ratio Decidendi

The tax collector had no authority, express or implied, to make statements or express opinions regarding the genuineness of receipts; such utterances were outside the scope of his employment. Therefore, the Corporation is not vicariously liable for the slander.

Court Disposition

Appeal allowed; order of lower court reversed with expenses to appellants.

Orders

  • Order appealed from reversed.
  • Expenses awarded to appellants (Glasgow Corporation).