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RYLANDS V FLETCHER<br />
Summary<br />
• A reservoir was built on the defendant’s land, and without their fault, the water escaped through old mine shafts and<br />
flooded the plaintiff’s new coal mine<br />
• The House of Lords held that if the water had escaped naturally and with no action on the part of the defendant, then<br />
no action would lie<br />
• However, in this case the water was brought onto the land, stored, and used in a non-natural way. Therefore, the risk is<br />
on the defendant and they were found liable<br />
Key Principle<br />
When the defendant brings or collects on land something likely to do mischief it it escapes and the use of the land is<br />
non-natural then the defendant is liable for damage which is the natural consequence of the escape of that thing.
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