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Tort: Torts Connected to Land

Private nuisance: the parties and the interference

  • 3 things to know
  • Components 2 and 3

Overview

Who has the interest in land needed to sue after Hunter v Canary Wharf, who can be sued including an occupier who adopts a nuisance under Sedleigh-Denfield, and what counts as an interference.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

Define private nuisance.

Numbers

Who may sue in private nuisance?

Key term

What did Hunter v Canary Wharf Ltd [1997] decide about television reception?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    Define private nuisance.

    Model answer

    Private nuisance is an unlawful indirect interference with a person's use or enjoyment of land. The interference must be unreasonable in all the circumstances.

  2. 2

    Who may sue in private nuisance?

    Model answer

    Hunter v Canary Wharf Ltd [1997] held that only a person with a proprietary interest in the land may sue. An owner or a tenant can sue, while a lodger or a child of the household cannot.

  3. 3

    What did Hunter v Canary Wharf Ltd [1997] decide about television reception?

    Model answer

    Residents complained that a large tower blocked their television signal. The House of Lords held that interference with television reception is not an actionable private nuisance.

  4. 4

    Who can be sued in private nuisance?

    Model answer

    The creator of the nuisance can always be sued, whether or not still on the land. The occupier can be sued where the occupier created, adopted or continued the nuisance.

  5. 5

    What did Sedleigh-Denfield v O'Callaghan [1940] decide?

    Model answer

    A trespasser laid a pipe with no grating in a ditch on the defendant's land, and flooding later damaged a neighbour. The House of Lords held the occupier liable for adopting and continuing the nuisance.

  6. 6

    Can an occupier be liable for a naturally occurring hazard?

    Model answer

    Leakey v National Trust [1980] held an occupier liable for failing to prevent a natural landslip damaging neighbouring houses. The occupier owes a measured duty judged by resources and ability.

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