Strange but true

Minor mishaps can have massive consequences. For example, had Greater Manchester Police purchased batteries from a reputable supplier rather than the equivalent of a market stall in Bury, the case of Donachie v The Chief Constable of the Greater Manchester Police [2004] EWCA Civ 405, [2004] All ER (D) 126 (Apr) would never have started, let alone gone to the Court of Appeal. The claimant was a police officer. He was required to attach a tagging device to the underside of a villain’s car. Were he detected in the act it was likely that he would suffer horrific treatment. Unfortunately, the tagging device was fitted with a cheap battery that failed, so the poor man had to clamber under the vehicle eight times before at last achieving the desired result. He developed psychiatric injury and recovered substantial damages, all for the want of an Eveready battery.

Hapless workmen

The errant workman is a dream come true for litigation practitioners. In December last year, the Court