Please note: The judge was Widgery J.
Facts
A virus escaped from the defendants' research premises and infected cattle. The markets were closed and the claimant auctioneers lost business.
Issue
Could the auctioneers recover their ?
Held
No. Their loss was purely economic and no duty was owed to them, unlike the farmers whose cattle were infected.
Principle
Pure economic loss caused by acts is generally not recoverable.
Why it matters
A classic floodgates case.
Cited in these chapters
Topics
Cite this page
Weller & Co v Foot and Mouth Disease Research Institute [1966] 1 QB 569 (Lanbuk) <https://www.lanbuk.com/llb/torts/cases/weller-v-foot-and-mouth> accessed 31 October 2026
The accessed date is today's date. Check your course or publisher's style guide.
This summary is a Lanbuk study aid based on the generally known facts and reports of the case. It is not legal advice.