Reardon Smith Line Ltd v Hansen-Tangen
[1976] 3 All ER 570(Judgment by: Lord Kilbrandon)
Between: Reardon Smith Line Ltd
And: Hansen-Tangen
Judges:
Lord Wilberforce
Viscount Dilhorne
Lord Simon of Glaisdale
Lord KilbrandonLord Russell of Killowen
Subject References:
SHIPPING
Charterparty
Description of vessel
Vessel not in existence at date of charterparty
Vessel identified by yard number and name of builders
Vessel built by different builders with different yard number under sub-contract
Original yard number used on export papers
Sub-contract builders a subsidiary of builders named in charterparty
Whether words identifying vessel by reference to yard number and builders part of contractual description
Whether charterers entitled to refuse to take delivery of vessel on ground it failed to comply with description
Case References:
Behn v Burness - (1863) 3 B & S 751; 2 New Rep 184; 32 LJQB 204; 8 LT 207; 9 Jur NS 620; 122 ER 281; Ex Ch, 41 Digest (Repl) 182, 220
Cargo Ships 'El-Yam' Ltd v Invoer-en Transport Onderneming 'Invotra' NV - [1958] 1 Lloyd's Rep 39
Cehave NV v Bremer Handelsgesellschaft mbH - [1975] 3 All ER 739; [1976] 1 QB 44; [1975] 3 WLR 447; [1974] 2 Lloyd's Rep 445, CA; Digest (Cont Vol D) 784, 510a
Charrington & Co Ltd v Wooder - [1914] AC 71; 84 LJKB 220; 110 LT 548, HL; 39 Digest (Repl) 499, 452
Couchman v Hill - [1947] 1 All ER 103; [1947] KB 554; [1948] LJR 295; 176 LT 278, CA; 2 Digest (Repl) 348, 333
Hong Kong Fir Shipping Co Ltd v Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Ltd - [1962] 1 All ER 474; [1962] 2 QB 26; [1962] 2 WLR 474; [1961] 2 Lloyd's Rep 478, CA; 41 Digest (Repl) 363, 1553
Hvalfangerselskapet Polaris Aktieselskap v Unilever Ltd, Hvalfangerselskapet Globus Aktieselskap v Unilever Ltd - (1933) 39 Com Cas 1, HL; 39 Digest (Repl) 490, 384
Lewis v Great Western Railway Co - (1877) 3 QBD 195; 47 LJQB 131; 37 LT 774, CA; 8(1) Digest (Reissue) 60, 350
Moore & Co and Landauer & Co, Re - [1921] 2 KB 519; [1921] All ER Rep 466; 90 LJKB 731; 125 LT 372, CA; 39 Digest (Repl) 528, 660
Prenn v Simmonds - [1971] 3 All ER 237; [1971] 1 WLR 1381; HL, 17 Digest (Reissue) 359, 1264
Schuler (L) A G v Wickman Machine Tool Sales Ltd - [1973] 2 All ER 39; [1974] AC 235; [1973] 2 WLR 683; [1973] 2 Lloyd's Rep 53, HL; Digest (Cont Vol D) 123, 3613a
Utica City National Bank, The v Gunn - (1918) 222 NY 204; 118 N E Reporter 607
Judgment date: 7 October 1976
Judgment by:
Lord Kilbrandon
My Lords, I have had the advantage of reading the draft prepared by my noble and learned friend, Lord Wilberforce. I so entirely agree with it, not only as to the conclusions which have to be drawn from the facts, but also from the consequences which in law ought to follow therefrom, that I have not thought it desirable to add any words of my own. I wish, however, to emphasise my express agreement with his analysis and criticism of the older authorities relating to description, and to hope that the more modern tendencies towards a businesslike content of that word may in time cover its use in relation to contracts of sale. I would accordingly dismiss these appeals.