Nemo Dat Flashcards
What is the general nemo dat rule and where is it found?
A person cannot give what they do not have – s21(1) SoGA
What are the two main requirements of the nemo dat rule? Evidence?
- Goods must be “sold” by non-owner – Shaw v Commissioner of Police
Shaw could not rely on exception to nemo dat rule because there had only been an agreement to sell - There must not be consent of the owner – s 47 SoGA – Mordaunt v British Oil
What are the 7 exceptions to the nemo dat rule?
- Agency
- Estoppel
- Estoppel by agency
- Buyer in possession
- Seller in possession
- Voidable title
- Hire purchase arrangement
NEMO DAT EXAMPLE: AGENCY
What are the two types of agency?
Actual
Ostensible / apparent
Which case distinguishes between actual and apparent authority?
Freeman & lockyer v Bruckhurst Properties
Actual – consensual agreement to which principal and agent are parties
Apparent – representation made by principal to third party that they have the principles authority
What are the 3 requirements for agency to arise? Case?
Rama Corporattion v Proved Tin and General Investment
- Representation / appearance that the agent has authority
- Representation must be made by the principal
- Representation must be relied upon by a third party
Can an agent make a representation that he is authorised? Cases?
NO – Armogos v Mundegas
HOWEVER – First Energy v Hungarian International bank
Bank manager had no authority to confirm a loan, but his position meant he could communicate decisions of more senior members – therefore claimants could rely on offer they received
(Agency) What rules concern reliance? Cases?
There is no apparent authority where third party knows….
- Agent has no authority – armagas v Mundogas
- Agent acts for himself – wattleau v Fenwick
- Principal limited agents authority – pharmed medicare v univar
NEMO DAT EXCDEPTION:
ESTOPPEL
Which main law concerns estoppel?
S21(1) SoGA
What are the two ways estoppel can arise?
- By words / conduct (representation)
2. By negligent omission (estoppel by negligence)
What 3 main cases concern estoppel?
- Central Newbury Car Auctions v Unitary Finance
- Eastern Distributors v Goldring
- Henderson & Co v William
Facts of Central Newbury Car Auctions v Unitary finance
Mere possession is not sufficient to amount to representation that possessor in goods is allowed to deal in them – rogue had possession of the car, but not the REGISTRATION DOCUMENT
Facts of Eastern Distributors v Goldring
C was estopped from preventing sale of the van because they signed HP Arrangement stating that the car dealer was the owner of the van – this amounted to a representation
What are the two limits to estoppel? Cases?
- Agreement to sell – Shaw v Commissioner of Police; there must be an actual sale
- Duress – Debs v Sibec Developments
What criteria must be fulfilled for estoppel by negligence to arise? Case?
Mercantile Credit v Hamblin
- Duty of care
- Breach of duty
- Causation
In this case, there was no breach of duty
NEMO DAT EXCEPTION: BUYER IN POSSESSION
Which pieces of legislation concern buyers in possession?
S25 SoGA, and
s9 Factors Act