D & C Builders Ltd v Rees

E590299

D & C Builders Ltd v Rees is a leading English contract law case, best known for Lord Denning’s judgment on economic duress and the enforceability of part-payment settlements.

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Statements (43)

Predicate Object
instanceOf Court of Appeal of England and Wales decision
English contract law case
appliesPrecedent Foakes v Beer NERFINISHED
clarifies limits of promissory estoppel where there is unfair pressure
that estoppel is an equitable doctrine requiring clean hands
concerns part payment of an undisputed debt
settlement obtained under pressure
hasAreaOfLaw accord and satisfaction
contract law
economic duress
part payment of debt
hasClaimant D & C Builders Ltd NERFINISHED
hasCourt Court of Appeal of England and Wales NERFINISHED
hasDefendant Mr Rees NERFINISHED
Mrs Rees NERFINISHED
hasJudge Danckwerts LJ NERFINISHED
Lord Denning MR NERFINISHED
Winn LJ NERFINISHED
hasKeyConcept consideration
economic duress
inequitable conduct
promissory estoppel
hasLeadingJudgmentBy Lord Denning MR NERFINISHED
hasLegalSystem common law
holds a creditor is not bound by a part-payment settlement obtained by improper pressure
a promise to accept less than the full debt is not binding without consideration unless protected by equity
equity will not assist a debtor who uses unfair pressure to secure a reduction
involvesParty D & C Builders Ltd NERFINISHED
Mr Rees NERFINISHED
Mrs Rees NERFINISHED
isFrequentlyCitedIn English contract law textbooks
cases on economic duress
cases on part payment of debt
isLeadingCaseOn application of Foakes v Beer
economic duress in contract law
enforceability of part-payment settlements
isReferencedAsAuthorityFor economic duress undermining apparent agreement
non-enforceability of part-payment settlements obtained by improper threats
isTaughtIn university contract law courses in the United Kingdom
jurisdiction England and Wales
language English
supportsPrinciple a debtor cannot rely on estoppel when the creditor’s promise was obtained by intimidation or unfair pressure
equity may prevent a creditor from going back on a promise to accept less, if it is truly voluntary and not induced by duress

Referenced by (1)

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Lord Denning notableWork D & C Builders Ltd v Rees