This is a list of early significant and precedent setting judicial decisions in English law:
Anglo Norman cases Ealdred v High Sheriff of Yorkshire (c.1068) Wulfstan v Thomas (1070)Melville Madison Bigelow, Placita Anglo-normannica: Law Cases from William I. to Richard I. Preserved in Historical Records (Soule and Bugbee, 1881) pxxi.Van Caenegem, ENGLISH LAWSUITS FROM WILLIAM I TO RICHARD I Vol.I. William I to Stephen.(Selden Society, 2010). R v Roger de Breteuil Trial of Penenden Heath (1071)Extraordinary privilege: the trial of Penenden Heath and the Domesday inquest, by Alan Cooper, The English Historical Review, 1 November 2001The Normans: The History of a Dynasty (2002) by David Crouch at Google Books regarded by some commentators as "one of the most important events in the early history of English Law because of the light it sheds on the relationship between Norman Law and English Law" with the trial being a possible indication of Norman respect for Anglo-Saxon legal history.The Justification of the Conquest from Conquered England Kingship, Succession, and Tenure 1066-1166 by George Garnett, Oxford University Press, 25 January 2007 Odo of Bayeux v Lanfranc (1071)Melville Madison Bigelow, Placita Anglo-normannica: Law Cases from William I. to Richard I. Preserved in Historical Records (Soule and Bugbee, 1881) p10. appeal against the Trial of Penenden Heath and the first case known where the judge called on both Anglo-Saxon and Norman juristic experts. The King v Tavistock R v Ralph Breton (1075), one of the earliest reported criminal trials in English law.Mike Ibeji, Treachery of the Earls, by Mike Ibeji, from "BBC History of the Normans".Edward Augustus Freeman (1901). A Short History of the Norman Conquest of England. Page 113-114. Abbot Scotland v Hamo the Sherrif (1076)Melville Madison Bigelow, Placita Anglo-normannica: Law Cases from William I. to Richard I. Preserved in Historical Records (Soule and Bugbee, 1881). p36. Bishop Odo v Walter, Abbot of Evesham (1077) Walter v Saint Wulfstan.Melville Madison Bigelow, Placita Anglo-Normannica: law cases from William I to Richard I p16.
Common Law cases (post 1154)
Furrer v Snelling (1220) early property and contracts precedent summary of Furrer v Snelling. Arundels Case 1250 (The first Year Books, which deal with cases, were published 1268)T. F. T. Plucknett, A Concise History of the Common Law, 5th edition, (London and Boston, 1956), pp.260-261 John v Anon (1290) early Chancellry case in trusts. Stapleton v SnaythStapleton v Snayth (1354) YB Pas 19, 32b-33a. established the first ratio of what would become duty of care with regard to property damage caused by waters. Beneyt v Brokkere (1358) established the first ratio of what would become duty of care with regard to damage caused by animals. Haxey's caseHaxey's case (1397) Rotuli Parliamentorum (iii) 434. is a leading case in English law that established the right to free speech within Parliament.Adams and Stephens, Select Documents of English Constitutional History(1930) Beaulieu v Finglam (1401) early tort case.Sir John Baker, Baker and Milsom Sources of English Legal History:Private Law to 1750 (Oxford University Press, 2nd ed, 2010) 610. establishing principle of liability.Ian Fitzharris, Owners of dwelling liable for escape of fire to neighbour’s property arising from negligence of building contracto r.Courtney Stanhope Kenny, A Selection of Cases Illustrative of the English Law of Tort (Cambridge University Press, 2014) p589. Case of the Thorns (1466)Hulle v Oryng 1466 YB Mich 6 Ed 4, 7a pl 18 is;(1466). established a tort of trespass to property. The Thorns Case. Luckers Case'Luckers Case CASE LXX, Tr. 8 Jac. B. R. 10 Co. 130 L,, 13 1 it. 2 Cr. 424, Carrier's Case (1473) duty of a bailee, right of forfeiture to the crown. R v Earl of Northumberland (1568) established royal prerogative on all gold deposits in the realm. Shelley's Case (1581) early case setting rules for future interests in real property and trusts Hext v Yeomans (1583)William Nelson, An Abridgment of the Common Law (Forgotten Books, 2017).David Hoffman, A Course of Legal Study: Respectfully Addressed to the Students of Law in the United States (Sagwan Press, 2015) early defamation case wherein the Court found that slander do not lie upon inferences. Case of the Swans (1592) Exchequer of Pleas establishing wild animals, cannot be given by transfer.Sir Edward Coke, The reports of Sir Edward Coke in thirteen parts.J. Butterworth and Son, 1826 page 83Joseph Chitty, A treatise on the game laws and on fisheries. W Clarke 1812 page 834 Eaton v Allen (1598) early defamation case. Mouse's case (1608), establish the defense of necessity in tort
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