Krell v Henry [1903] 2 KB 740 is a contract law case which established the doctrine of frustration of purpose.
Henry, the defendant, hired a flat on Pall Mall for the sole purpose of viewing King Edward VII's coronation procession. The price agreed was £75 for two days. The defendant paid £25 deposit. Due to illness of the King the coronation was cancelled. Consequently, the defendant did not use the flat. Krell, the claimant, sought to claim the outstanding £50.
The court ruled that the coronation procession was an implied condition, so the contract was frustrated as cancellation of the procession deprived it of its commercial purpose. Therefore, the claimant's action for breach of contract was unsuccessful.
You can learn more about this topic with our Contract Law notes.
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