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United Kingdom Leading Case consideration

Williams v Roffey Bros and Nicholls (Contractors) Ltd

[1991] 1 QB 1
JurisdictionUnited Kingdom
CourtEngland and Wales Court of Appeal
Year1991
StatusBinding authority

Summary

Practical benefit obtained by a promisor from a promisee's performance of an existing contractual duty can constitute good consideration for a promise of additional payment.

Key Principle

practical benefit conferred by performance of existing duty can constitute consideration

Area of Law

Contract — Consideration and Estoppel

Related Cases

Baird Textile Holdings Ltd v Marks and Spencer plc [2001] EWCA Civ 274

Promissory estoppel cannot found a cause of action as a sword where no pre-existing contractual relationship or obligation otherwise exists.

Central London Property Trust Ltd v High Trees House Ltd [1947] KB 130

A clear and unequivocal promise intended to be acted upon, and which is acted upon, may be enforced in equity by way of promissory estoppel even without consideration.

Stilk v Myrick (1809) 2 Camp 317

Performance of a pre-existing contractual duty owed to the promisor cannot constitute good consideration for a new promise.

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