Question

Donoghue v. Stevenson represents the liability on the ground of

• A. Duty of care to your neighbour
• B. Breach contract liability
• C. Right of the purchaser of a product
• D. Retailers liability to the consumer

Hint:

Donoghue v. Stevenson is often called the "Snail in the Bottle Case".
It freed product liability claims from the "privity of contract" trap, allowing consumers to sue negligent manufacturers directly.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question asks for the fundamental legal principle established by the landmark House of Lords case Donoghue v. Stevenson (1932).

Step 2: Key Principles and Statutory Provisions:
This case is widely regarded as the foundation of the modern law of negligence, establishing the "Neighbour Principle" and the general "Duty of Care".

Step 3: Detailed Explanation and Analysis:

• In Donoghue v. Stevenson, a friend of the plaintiff bought her a bottle of ginger beer.
After drinking some, the plaintiff poured the remaining contents and discovered the decomposed remains of a snail.
She fell ill and sued the manufacturer for negligence.

• The manufacturer argued they owed no duty to the plaintiff because there was no contract between them (the friend had bought the bottle).

• Lord Atkin rejected this argument and established the famous Neighbour Principle:
"You must take reasonable care to avoid acts or omissions which you can reasonably foresee would be likely to injure your neighbour."

• He defined "neighbours" as persons who are so closely and directly affected by my act that I ought reasonably to have them in contemplation.
This established an independent duty of care, separating product liability torts from contract law.

Step 4: Final Answer:
The case represents liability based on the "duty of care to your neighbour", making Option A the correct choice.