Parkinson v College of Ambulance

Facts

The plaintiff paid £3,000 to a charity on a fraudulent promise that a knighthood could be obtained for him. No honour came. He sued for the money.

Issue

Could he recover?

Held

No. Traffic in public honours was illegal to his knowledge. He could not recover the money or damages.

Principle

A contract to procure a public honour is illegal, and a party who knew that cannot undo it.

Why it matters

It is the corruption case. The fraud of the secretary did not help a plaintiff who knew the bargain was illegal.

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