Nuisance P2 Flashcards
What is a private nuisance
An unlawful interference for a substantial length of time with a person’s right to enjoy or use his land in a reasonable way
What 3 things must C show for a claim of private nuisance
1) The parties involved
2) There is an interference
3) The interference is sufficiently serious in all circumstances to be unlawful
What must C have in order to bring action against a nuisance
C must be someone with legal interest in the affected land
What did Hunter V Canary Wharf show - interference with Tv reception
To sue for private nuisance, C must have a legal interest in the affect land. Mrs H did now own the property and had no proprietary interest in it
What must D be/ have done in order to be established as a D under private nuisance
D is the creator of the nuisance or if he allows the tenant to continue his activities which are causing the nuisance
Which case showed that a local authority who permits an activity to take place on their land can be a D - go-kart track
Tetley V Chitty (1986)
What did the case of Cooking V Eacott show - estranged mother and barking dog
Whoever is in control of the premise can be sued for nuisance. Despite being estranged, the mother had sufficient control = D
What is the second thing to establish for private nuisance
The interference
What are the two types of interference under private nuisance
Physical damage
Loss of amenity
What is physical damage
Damage to land, plants, crops on or in the land
Damage to foundations cause by vibrations
Killing of flowers, oil smuts from refinery covering clothes on a washing line
What does physical damage not include under private nuisance and which tort should be pursued if it is involved
Private nuisance does not cover personal injury
If personal injury is involved then C should pursue a tort of negligence claim
What is Loss of amenity as an interference
Where c’s ability to enjoy his land is restricted by Ds activities
Excessive noise, unpleasant smells fumes preventing c from opening windows
Which interference takes more evidence to prove and why
Loss of amenity
Harder to prove the interference
What is the third thing to prove for private nuisance
Unlawfulness - is the interference unlawful
How many factors can be considered for unlawfulness of the interference and what is the acronym for them
6 Factors
Lesbians Don’t Do Sex Requiring Men
What is the first factor for unlawfulness and what does it mean
Locality
Some activities are more acceptable in certain areas - industrial zones than in residential areas
Which case involved a smell from landfill site affected local residents and granting a permit from waste management does not change the fact that Ds use of the land was not reasonable
Barr V Biffa (2012)
What did Coventry V Lawrence show - racetrack existing before residents
Courts presume that Ds activities are taken into account when permission is granted, but only to the extent to which they would cause a nuisance
If cannot be carried out without nuisance they are discontinued due to the character of locality
Which case shows that locality is irrelevant when physical damage is caused by the interference
St Helens smelting V Tipping