RYLANDS V FLETCHER Meaning and
Definition
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Rylands v Fletcher is a well-known legal case which established the legal principle of strict liability for damage caused by dangerous substances or activities on one's land. The case originated in the United Kingdom in 1868 and has since become a landmark decision in tort law.
In this case, the defendant, John Fletcher, owned a mill adjacent to Richard Rylands' land. Fletcher constructed a reservoir on his property to provide water for the mill's operation. However, the reservoir was built on a series of disused mineshafts which led to Rylands' land. Consequently, when the reservoir was filled, water accumulated and subsequently burst through the disused mineshafts, causing significant damage to Rylands' property.
The court held that Fletcher was liable for the damage caused on Rylands' land, even though he may not have been negligent. The judges established a new doctrine known as the Rylands v Fletcher principle, which stated that a person who brings something onto their land that is likely to cause harm to others in the event of its escape, is strictly liable for any damage resulting from its escape, regardless of fault.
This legal principle is still widely recognized and applied in many jurisdictions around the world today. It has been extended beyond water reservoirs to encompass a wide range of dangerous substances or activities, such as toxic chemicals, explosions, or even keeping wild animals. It places the burden of preventing harm caused by escape on the person who controls the dangerous substance or engages in the dangerous activity, regardless of their negligence.
