Facts
Extraordinarily heavy rain, 'greater than any within living memory', caused artificial lakes to overflow and wash away bridges.
Issue
Is an a defence?
Held
No liability.
Principle
An act of God, a natural event no human foresight could provide against, is a defence to Rylands v Fletcher.
Why it matters
Act of God defence (now narrowly applied).
Cited in these chapters
See also
- Rylands v Fletcher [1868] UKHL 1 (17 July 1868) · United Kingdom · 1868
Cite this page
Nichols v Marsland (1876) 2 Ex D 1 (Lanbuk) <https://www.lanbuk.com/llb/torts/cases/nichols-v-marsland> accessed 31 October 2026
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This summary is a Lanbuk study aid based on the generally known facts and reports of the case. It is not legal advice.