Turberville v. Stampe

"Turberville v. Stampe" (1697) 91 ER 1072 is an English tort law case concerning vicarious liability, also known as the "respondeat superior" doctrine.

Facts

The employee or "servant" of the defendant negligently began a fire which spread to and damaged a neighbour's house. The master argued he was not responsible because he was not personally at fault. Moreover he had directed the employee the proper method of lighting fires, orders which were not followed.

Judgment

Chief Justice Holt gave judgment.

ee also

;On liability for strangers and acts of God emanating from land
*"Sedleigh Denfield v. O’Callaghan" [1940] AC 880
*"Goldman v. Hargrave" [1967] 1 AC 645
*"Smith v. Littlewoods Organisation Ltd" [1987] 1 AC 241
*"Leakey v. National Trust" [1980] QB 485

;On vicarious liability
*"Lister v. Hesley Hall Ltd" [2002] 1 AC 215