Dickinson v. Dodds
Court of Appeal, Chancery Division
2 Ch. Div. 463 (1876)
- Written by Megan Petersen, JD
Facts
On June 10, 1874, John Dodds (defendant) drafted a documented which stated his willingness to sell a piece of property to George Dickinson (plaintiff). The document stated that the offer would be open until 9AM on June 12, 1874. On Thursday, June 11, Dickinson was informed by his agent that Dodds changed his mind and actually intended to sell the property to Thomas Allen (defendant). Dickinson immediately went to the home of Dodd’s mother-in-law where Dodds was staying and dropped off a document expressing his intent to accept Dodds’ offer to sell the property. Dodds never received this document from his mother-in-law. At 7AM on the morning of June 12, Dickinson and his agent both found Dodds at a train station and provided him with duplicate copies of the document accepting Dodds’ offer to sell. Dodds stated that it was too late and he had already sold the property to Allen. Dickinson brought suit against Dodds and Allen seeking specific performance of Dodd’s offer to sell the property to him. The Vice Chancellor heard the case and held for Dickinson, granting specific performance. Both Dodds and Allen appealed.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (James, L.J.)
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