Donoghue V Stevenson

Donoghue v Stevenson UKHL 100 is a foundational case for Scots delict law and English tort law by the House of Lords. It created the modern concept of negligence, by setting out general principles whereby one person would owe another person a duty of care.

Also known as the "Paisley snail" or "snail in the bottle" case, the facts involved Mrs Donoghue drinking a bottle of ginger beer in a cafe in Paisley, Renfrewshire. A snail was in the bottle. She fell ill, and she sued the ginger beer manufacturer, Mr Stevenson. The House of Lords held that the manufacturer owed a duty of care to her, which was breached, because it was reasonably foreseeable that failure to ensure the product's safety would lead to harm of consumers.

Read more about Donoghue V StevensonFacts, Condescendences, Legal Background, Court of Session, House of Lords, Subsequent Events, Neighbour Principle, Existence of The Snail, Significance, Commemoration