In this edition of Favourite Cases, Elizabeth Ovey discusses the famous case of Donoghue v Stevenson, in which the House of Lords articulated the “neighbour” principle that has become the foundation of tortious liability for negligence.

Elizabeth says: “It may be because I am writing this article on an extremely hot day when a refreshing cool drink would be very welcome that the case which comes to mind is Donoghue v Stevenson, known to generations of law students for the best part of a century as the case of the snail in the ginger beer bottle…”

You can read Elizabeth’s full analysis here.

Donoghue v Stevenson is reported at [1932] AC 562.

Favourite Cases is a Radcliffe Chambers project for August 2020, which takes a look at interesting and important chancery and commercial decisions.