Williams v Roffey Bros & Nicholls

Question 1

when was this judgement

Answer 1

1989

Question 2

which court

Answer 2

court of appeal

Question 3

facts

Answer 3

R appealed against judgment in favour of W for payments arising out of a building contract. W was engaged by R, building contractors to carry out carpentry work. W was offered bonus payments by R when it became apparent that W’s financial difficulties would make it unlikely that the work would be completed in time and therefore R would be penalised under the main contract. R failed to make the promised payments and W ceased work. R’s grounds of appeal were that W had substantially completed the work and the promise to pay the bonus was enforceable.

Question 4

ratio

Answer 4

general rule for pay-more cases
a promise to make bonus payments was enforceable when the promisor obtained a benefit or obviated a disbenefit where the promise had not been obtained by fraud or duress.

Question 5

how many judges

Answer 5

3

Purchas , Glidewell and Russell L.JJ