August 28, 2025
Barton v Armstrong [1973] UKPC 2, [1976] AC 104
Facts Mr Barton was the managing director of a company, and Mr Armstrong was its chairman. Following a power struggle, Barton agreed to buy Armstrong’s shares in the company through the execution of several deeds. Barton subsequently sought a declaration that these deeds were void, alleging that he had been coerced into signing them by Armstrong’s threats to have him murdered. The trial judge found that Armstrong had indeed made death threats and that Barton had taken them seriously. However, the trial judge also found that Barton had entered into the agreement for what were considered sound business reasons, primarily
