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United Kingdom Leading Case human rightsrule of law

Somerset v Stewart (Somersett's Case)

(1772) 20 State Tr 1
JurisdictionUnited Kingdom
CourtCourt of King's Bench
Year1772
StatusBinding authority

Summary

Slavery has no positive legal basis in England and a person cannot be forcibly removed from England to be sold as a slave abroad.

Key Principle

slavery; no positive law supporting slavery in England; person cannot be forcibly removed from England to be sold as slave abroad

Area of Law

human-rights

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