Fothergill v Monarch Airlines Ltd

[1981] A.C. 251
[1976 F. No. 542]

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Between: Fothergill - Respondent
And: Monarch Airlines Ltd - Appellant

Court:

Judges: Lord Wilberforce
Lord Diplock
Lord Fraser of Tullybelton
Lord Scarman
Lord Roskill

Subject References:
AIRCRAFT
CARRIAGE BY AIR
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
Loss of articles from baggage
Whether 'damage' to baggage
Passenger's failure to complain of partial loss within seven days
Right to claim damages
STATUTE
CONSTRUCTION OF
International convention
Statute giving effect to convention
Use of extrinsic material, including travaux préparatoires, as aid to construction
French text to prevail if inconsistencies between that text and English
Evidence of meaning of French word
RETROACTIVE EFFECT OF STATUTE
Section not to apply to loss that occurred before passing of Act
Effect on construction of original provision

Legislative References:
Carriage by Air Act 1961 (9 & 10 Eliz. 2, c. 27) - 1 (2), Sch. 1, art. 26 (2)
Carriage by Air and Road Act 1979 (c. 28) - 2 (1) (2)

Case References:
Black-Clawson International Ltd. v. Papierwerke Waldhof-Aschaffenburg A.G. - [1975] A.C. 591; [1975] 2 W.L.R. 513; [1975] 1 All E.R. 810, H.L.(E.)
Brentwood Fabrics Corporation v. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines - June 26, (1970); New York City Court, New York County; 13 Avi. (CCH Aviation Cases) 17,426
Buchanan (James) & Co. Ltd. v. Babco Forwarding & Shipping (U.K.) Ltd - [1977] Q.B. 208; [1977] 2 W.L.R. 107; [1977] 1 All E.R. 518, C.A.; [1978] A.C. 141; [1977] 3 W.L.R. 907; [1977] 3 All E.R. 1048, H.L.(E.)
Bulmer (H. P.) Ltd. v. J. Bollinger S.A. - [1974] Ch. 401; [1974] 3 W.L.R. 202; [1974] 2 All E.R. 1226, C.A.
Carter v. Bradbeer - [1975] 1 W.L.R. 1204; [1975] 3 All E.R. 158, H.L.(E.)
Corocraft Ltd. v. Pan American Airways Inc - [1969] 1 Q.B. 616; [1968] 3 W.L.R. 1273; [1969] 1 All E.R. 82, C.A.
Davis v. Johnson - [1979] A.C. 264; [1978] 2 W.L.R. 553; [1978] 1 All E.R. 1132, H.L.(E.)
Day v. Trans World Airlines Inc - (1975) 528 F.2d 31
Gosse Millerd Ltd. v. Canadian Government Merchant Marine Ltd - [1927] 2 K.B. 432; [1929] A.C. 223, H.L.(E.)
Hourani v. T. and J. Harrison - (1927) 32 Com.Cas. 305, C.A.
Inland Revenue Commissioners v. Ayrshire Employers Mutual Insurance Association Ltd - [1946] 1 All E.R. 637, H.L.(Sc.)
Kelman v. Livanos - [1955] 1 W.L.R. 590; [1955] 2 All E.R. 236
Lorans v. Cie. Air France - January 14, 1977; Cour de Cassation (Assembleé Plénière); Bulletin des Arrêts de la Cour de Cassation, Chambres Civiles, 1977, V, no. 1, p. 1 (cassation); Revue Française de Droit Aérien, vol. 31 (1977), p. 268
Porter v. Freudenberg - [1915] 1 K.B. 857, C.A.
Post Office v. Estuary Radio Ltd - [1968] 2 Q.B. 740; [1967] 1 W.L.R. 1396; [1967] 3 All E.R. 663, C.A.
Price & Co. v. A.1 Ships' Small Damage Insurance Association Ltd - (1889) 22 Q.B.D. 580, C.A.
Pyrene Co. Ltd. v. Scindia Navigation Co. Ltd - [1954] 2 Q.B. 402; [1954] 2 W.L.R. 1005; [1954] 2 All E.R. 158
Rustenberg Platinum Mines Ltd. v. South African Airways - [1977] 1 Lloyd's Rep. 564; [1979] 1 Lloyd's Rep. 19, C.A.
Salomon v. Customs and Excise Commissioners - [1967] 2 Q.B. 116; [1966] 3 W.L.R. 1223; [1966] 3 All E.R. 871, C.A.
Schwimmer v. Air France - June 2, 1976; New York City Civil Court, Bronx County; 14 Avi. (CCH Aviation Cases) 17,466
Stag Line Ltd. v. Foscolo, Mango & Co. Ltd - [1932] A.C. 328, H.L.(E.)
Taylor v. Liverpool and Great Western Steam Co - (1874) L.R. 9 Q.B. 546
Tondriau v. Cie. Air India - January 27, 1977; Court of Appeal of Belgium; Pasicrisie Belge, 1977 (1) 574; Revue Française de Droit Aérien, vol. 31 (1977), p. 193
Ulster-Swift Ltd v. Taunton Meat Haulage Ltd - [1977] 1 W.L.R. 625; [1977] 3 All E.R. 641, C.A

Hearing date: 20-22 May 1980
Judgment date: 10 July 1980

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ORDER

Appeal allowed with costs.