Ryland v. Fletcher - [1868] All E.R. 1

Ryland v. Fletcher

[1868] All E.R. 1

I. Issue

Whether D is strictly liable when it made a reservoir, by which water passed on into the workings under the close of the P, causing damage.

II. Reasoning

The neighbor who has brought something on his own property (which was not naturally there), harmless to others so long as it is confined to his own property, but which he knows will be mischievous if it gets on his neighbor's, should be obliged to make good the damage which ensues if he does not succeed in confining it to his own property.

III. Holding

In this case, D has strict liability.