Bolton v. Stone – Case Brief
Bolton v. Stone, 1 K.B. 201 (C.A.), A.C. 850 (1951).
Case Summary
Facts: See Stone v. Bolton.
Issue: What is the standard of care owed by a land owner to persons on an adjoining highway?
Holding and Rule: A land owner does not have a special duty of care to persons on an adjoining highway. The landowner is held to the conduct of a reasonable, ordinary, prudent person. The court held that in this case, the risk of a ball escaping the field was so low that a reasonable person would not have taken further precautions. Unless one has committed acts that are unreasonable, he has not breached a duty to his neighbor.
Disposition: Reversed, for D.
Notes: This ruling applies a negligence standard to a property owner.