Fletcher v. Rylands
Exchequer Chamber
[1866] L.R. 1 Ex. 265 (1866)
- Written by Jamie Milne, JD
Facts
When John Rylands (defendant) built a reservoir to supply water to his mill, he hired a competent engineer and contractors to perform the work. Rylands was unaware that the reservoir was built above several old mineshafts that had been filled with dirt. The shafts connected to underground coal mines that in turn connected to operational mines run by Thomas Fletcher (plaintiff). When water was being added to the finished reservoir, one of the old mineshafts collapsed. The reservoir burst, flooding the old mineshafts and the abandoned mines. The water eventually reached Fletcher’s mines, inundating them and forcing Fletcher to abandon his operations. Fletcher sued Rylands for damages. The Court of Exchequer held that Rylands had not been negligent and therefore was not liable. Fletcher appealed to the Exchequer Chamber.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Blackburn, J.)
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