The Doctrine of Privity in Negligence
Understanding the Path to Donoghue v Stevenson
1st Edition
Published on 5. March 2026
272 pages
978-1-5099-8766-5 (ISBN)
Description
This book traces the path of the doctrine of privity in negligence, from inception to its famous ousting in Donoghue v Stevenson in 1932.
It begins with the origins of negligence's privity rule in the Industrial Revolution, before considering pressure points for change in the early twentieth century, including rising consumerism and the array of issues faced by married women when suing on a contract. This book challenges the orthodox story that products-based claims in tort were a rarity in English law prior to Donoghue because of the privity bar. Viewed within this narrative, Mrs Donoghue's claim is a tipping point rather than a revolution.
It begins with the origins of negligence's privity rule in the Industrial Revolution, before considering pressure points for change in the early twentieth century, including rising consumerism and the array of issues faced by married women when suing on a contract. This book challenges the orthodox story that products-based claims in tort were a rarity in English law prior to Donoghue because of the privity bar. Viewed within this narrative, Mrs Donoghue's claim is a tipping point rather than a revolution.
More details
Series
Edition
1. Auflage
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Target group
Professional and scholarly
File size
2,26 MB
ISBN-13
978-1-5099-8766-5 (9781509987665)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
approx. 06/2026
Hart Publishing
€130.50
Not yet published
Person
Emily Gordon is a Lecturer in the Law of Obligations at the University of Manchester.
Content
Introduction
Chapter 1 - Privity in Negligence Law: The Orthodox Story
Chapter 2 - Winterbottom in the Courts: Consequences to Formalism
Chapter 3 - A Climate Supportive of Privity's Ousting
Chapter 4 - Product Liability in the Early Twentieth Century
Chapter 5 - 'Dangerous Things': an Alternative Path to Success
Conclusion - Donoghue v Stevenson in legal history
Chapter 1 - Privity in Negligence Law: The Orthodox Story
Chapter 2 - Winterbottom in the Courts: Consequences to Formalism
Chapter 3 - A Climate Supportive of Privity's Ousting
Chapter 4 - Product Liability in the Early Twentieth Century
Chapter 5 - 'Dangerous Things': an Alternative Path to Success
Conclusion - Donoghue v Stevenson in legal history
