Jones v. Padavatton

"Jones v. Padavatton", [1969] 1 W.L.R. 328, All E.R. 616 is a leading English decision on contract law. The decision demonstrates how domestic agreements, such as in between a mother and daughter, are presumed not to be legally binding unless there is clear intention.

Background

Mrs. Jones offered to pay her daughter, Mrs. Padavatton, to go to law school if she would return from the US to live in England. The daughter returned and lived in a house purchased by Mrs. Jones. She also received maintenance from the rent Mrs. Padavatton collected from tenants.

Mrs. Jones attempted to back out of the agreement repossess the house.

Ruling

The Court held that there was no binding contract. Although there would have been a contract if it was not the domestic parties related, there was insufficient evidence to rebut the presumption against domestic arrangements.

ee also

* Balfour v Balfour (1919)

External links

* [http://faculty.law.ubc.ca/biukovic/supplements/JonesvPadavatton.htm full text]