UKSC/2022/0100

Armstead (Appellant) v Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Company Ltd (Respondent)

Judgment given

Case summary


Case ID

UKSC/2022/0100

Parties

Appellant(s)

Lorna Armstead

Respondent(s)

Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Co Ltd

Issue

Where the hirer of a car contractually agrees to pay the car hire company a sum for loss of use if the hire car is damaged during the hire period, and the hire car is then damaged due to the negligent driving of a third party, can the hirer recover that contractual liability from the negligent driver (or their insurer)?

Facts

Lorna Armstead ('LA') hired a car from Helphire Ltd ('Helphire'). LA signed Helphire's standard hire contract, confirming that (a) she would pay Helphire for any damage to the vehicle and (b) she would pay Helphire a daily rate for any loss of use of the vehicle if it was unavailable to Helphire because it was damaged.LA was in a car accident whilst driving the hired car. The accident was caused by the negligent driving of a third party who was insured by Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Company Ltd ('RSA'). The hired car required repairs, for which LA paid. Helphire subsequently requested that LA pay £1,560 for the loss of use of the hired car while it was being repaired. LA brought a claim against RSA for both sums. In the three courts below, LA's claim for £1,560 sum was dismissed.

Date of issue

24 May 2022

Judgment appealed

Judgment details


Judgment date

14 February 2024

Neutral citation

[2024] UKSC 6

Judgment summary

14 February 2024

Appeal


Justices

Hearing dates

Start date

23 November 2023

End date

23 November 2023

Watch hearings


23 November 2023 - Morning session

Watch the archived video.

23 November 2023 - Afternoon session

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Change log

Last updated 16 April 2024

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