Verdict No. 3 · Thursday, November 5, 2026

The five rulings

What the courts decided.

The clean-living nephew

1Hamer v. SidwayNew York Court of Appeals, 1891

2Hamer v. Sidway (1891): The court held giving up a legal right is valid consideration for a promise, even if it benefits the person who gave it up.

Two ships called Peerless

1Raffles v WichelhausEnglish Court of Exchequer, 1864

2Raffles v Wichelhaus (1864): The court held there was no binding contract, since the parties never agreed on the same thing.

The bootmaker's company

1Salomon v A Salomon & Co LtdHouse of Lords, 1897

2Salomon v A Salomon & Co (1897): The Lords unanimously held a company is a separate legal person, so creditors couldn't reach the owner personally.

The naval review

1Herne Bay Steam Boat Co v HuttonCourt of Appeal of England, 1903

2Herne Bay Steamboat v Hutton (1903): The court held the contract wasn't frustrated, since the review was only the renter's reason, and the fleet could still be seen.

Three chocolate wrappers

1Chappell & Co Ltd v Nestle Co LtdHouse of Lords, 1959

2Chappell v Nestle (1959): The Lords held the wrappers were part of the price, even though they had no value. Payment need only be sufficient, not adequate.

Five new cases every day at midnight.

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