Coronation cases facts for kids
The Coronation cases were a group of important legal cases in English law from the early 1900s. They all happened because King Edward VII's coronation, planned for June 1902, was suddenly postponed.
Many people had made agreements, called contracts, to rent rooms or boats to watch the big celebration. Imagine renting a perfect spot to see a parade! But then, just two days before, the King became very ill. The coronation had to be delayed until August. This meant the special event people paid to see was no longer happening on the original date. The people who rented these spots didn't want to pay full price for something that was now just an ordinary room or boat.
What Happened When Plans Changed?
In most of these cases, the courts decided that the contracts were no longer valid. This was because the main reason for the contract – watching the coronation – had disappeared. This legal idea is called "frustration of purpose." It means that if the main goal of a contract can no longer happen, and it's nobody's fault, then the contract might be cancelled.
However, some contracts were still valid. This happened if the contract didn't specifically mention that its purpose was to view the coronation.
When Plans Go Wrong: Frustration of Purpose
"Frustration of purpose" is a legal idea that helps when something big and unexpected happens. If this event makes the main reason for a contract impossible or totally different, the contract might be cancelled. It's like if you rent a party hall for a birthday, but then the whole town gets snowed in. The main purpose of the hall rental (the party) can't happen.
For the Coronation cases, the main purpose was to watch the King's coronation. When the King got sick and the event was postponed, that main purpose was "frustrated."
Important Cases to Know
Here are some of the key cases that helped explain this legal idea:
- Krell v Henry [1903] 2 K.B. 740
In this famous case, a person rented a flat to watch the coronation procession. The contract didn't specifically say the purpose was for the coronation. However, the court looked at all the facts. They decided that both sides understood the main reason for renting the flat was to see the procession. When the coronation was postponed, the main purpose was gone. So, the contract was cancelled.
- Chandler v Webster [1904] 1 KB 493
This case was about money already paid. Someone had paid an advance fee for a room to watch the coronation. The court first said that money already paid could not be gotten back. Also, any money still owed didn't have to be paid. This rule was later changed by a law called the Law Reform (Frustrated Contracts) Act 1943. Now, if a contract is frustrated, money paid in advance can usually be returned.
- Herne Bay Steamboat Co v Hutton [1903] 2 K.B. 683
This case was different because the contract had two purposes. A person rented a steamboat to see the naval review (a parade of ships) and to take passengers around the fleet. The naval review was cancelled, but the fleet was still there. The court decided that only one purpose was frustrated. The other purpose – taking passengers around the fleet – could still happen. Because of this, the contract was not cancelled.
- Griffith v Brymer (1903) 19 TLR 434
This case was also about a room rented for the coronation. However, the contract was made after the decision to operate on the King had been made, but before it was announced to the public. The people making the contract didn't know the coronation was already off. The court said the contract was void, but not because of "frustration of purpose." Instead, it was cancelled due to a mistake. Both parties made the contract based on the wrong idea that the coronation would still happen. This is different from frustration, where an event happens after the contract is made that changes everything.
