Holding
Chief Justice Marshall's unanimous opinion can be interpreted to state that withholding information that is calculated to deceive the other party can cause a contract to be void on equitable grounds. However, on the question of whether Organ had an obligation to disclose the information he had obtained about the end of the war, the opinion declares that "he court is of opinion that he was not bound to communicate it."
Marshall's opinion goes on to state that "t would be difficult to circumscribe the contrary doctrine within proper limits, where the means of intelligence are equally accessible to both parties. But at the same time, each party must take care not to say or do any thing tending to impose upon the other."
The case was remanded to the District court of Louisiana, with directions to award a Venire facias de novo. The court stated the question of equitable relief should have been submitted to a jury and that Laidlaw is entitled to a new trial. Chief Justice Marshall's opinion was brief, at approximately 120 words.
Read more about this topic: Laidlaw V. Organ
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