Facts
A laid a pipe on the defendants' land. The knew about it and used it, but did not fix a grating. It blocked and flooded the neighbour's land.
Issue
Is an occupier liable for a created by a trespasser?
Held
The defendants were liable.
Principle
An occupier who knows of a nuisance created by another and 'continues' or 'adopts' it, by failing to take reasonable steps to end it, is liable.
Why it matters
Liability for nuisances created by others.
Cited in these chapters
Topics
Cite this page
Sedleigh-Denfield v O'Callaghan [1940] AC 880 (Lanbuk) <https://www.lanbuk.com/llb/torts/cases/sedleigh-denfield-v-ocallaghan> 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.