Beale v Taylor Case Study

What is the subject of the case Beale v Taylor?

The car in Beale v Taylor was a genuine 1961 Triumph Herald.

What was the specific legal issue raised in Beale v Taylor?

What was the outcome of the court's judgement in Beale v Taylor?

According to the case Beale v Taylor, a sale by description can occur even if the buyer examines the goods.

Case Name and Details

Case name: Beale v Taylor
Jurisdiction: England and Wales
Year: 1967
Area of Law: Sale by Description, Sale of Goods Act

Case Summary

This English case concerns the implied condition of "sale by description" in a contract of goods sale.
A 1961 Triumph Herald was advertised for sale.
The advertisement described the car as "White, 1961 Herald Convertible".
The buyer inspected the car and saw a "1200" disc on the rear.
Believing the car to be a complete 1961 model, the buyer purchased the car.
Later, it was discovered that the car was a combination of a 1961 Triumph Herald rear and an older model's front.

Issues Raised

Could the seller be held accountable for failing to sell "as described"?

Court Ruling

The court held the seller liable.
The description in the advertisement was relied upon by the buyer.
The car did not correspond to the description.
Even if the buyer inspected the goods, a "sale by description" may still apply, contingent on the circumstances.
In this instance, the buyer relied on the description, which was incomplete and misleading, leading to a violation of the Sale of Goods Act.

Explore the case of Beale v Taylor from 1967, which examines the legalities surrounding 'sale by description' under the Sale of Goods Act. This quiz will test your understanding of the implications of misrepresentation in sales contracts and the responsibilities of sellers. Dive into the court ruling and its impact on consumer rights.