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Robinson v Kilvert

1889 · (1889) 41 Ch D 88

Posted By lanbuk.com

Facts

Heat from the defendant's cellar damaged special brown paper stored by his tenant upstairs. It would not have harmed ordinary paper.

Issue

Is there where harm is caused only because the claimant's use is unusually sensitive?

Held

No liability.

Principle

A claimant cannot complain of harm that happens only because his property or use is abnormally sensitive.

Why it matters

The 'abnormal sensitivity' rule.

Cited in these chapters

Cite this page

Robinson v Kilvert (1889) 41 Ch D 88 (Lanbuk) <https://www.lanbuk.com/llb/torts/cases/robinson-v-kilvert> 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.