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By what conventional legal name is the rule in Rylands v. Fletcher known?

Rylands v. Fletcher (1868) LR 3 HL 330 is the classic rule of strict liability. The House of Lords applied it to a non-natural use of land where a dangerous thing brought…

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By what conventional legal name is the rule in Rylands v. Fletcher known?

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Answer and explanation

Correct answer B

Rylands v. Fletcher (1868) LR 3 HL 330 is the classic rule of strict liability. The House of Lords applied it to a non-natural use of land where a dangerous thing brought onto the land escaped and caused damage. The rule can apply without proof of negligence, subject to recognized exceptions. In M.C. Mehta v. Union of India, AIR 1987 SC 1086, the Supreme Court of India formulated absolute liability for hazardous or inherently dangerous enterprises, without the exceptions recognized in Rylands.

Option feedback

Option A

Incorrect. The Rule of Absolute Liability (strict liability without any exceptions for hazardous or inherently dangerous industries) was evolved by the Supreme Court of India in M.C. Mehta v. Union of India (Oleum Gas Leak case), AIR 1987 SC 1086.

Option B

Correct. The rule laid down by Blackburn J. in the Exchequer Chamber and affirmed by the House of Lords in Rylands v. Fletcher (1868) LR 3 HL 330 is known as the 'Rule of strict liability'.

Option C

Incorrect. While strict liability imposes liability independent of negligence, the specific doctrinal name given to the rule in Rylands v. Fletcher is the 'Rule of strict liability' (whereas 'no fault liability' is a broader statutory phrase used e.g. in motor vehicle compensation).

Option D

Incorrect. Because 'Rule of strict liability' is the established legal name for the rule in Rylands v. Fletcher, this catch-all choice is false.

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