October 3, 2025
Scott v London and St Katherine’s Docks [1865] EngR 220
A customs officer was injured by falling bags of sugar at the defendant's warehouse. The court held that the incident itself was sufficient evidence of negligence, establishing the legal principle of 'res ipsa loquitur' (the thing speaks for itself). Facts The claimant, Mr Scott, was a customs officer. While on duty, he was lawfully present on the premises of the London and St Katherine Docks Company. As he was passing the entrance to one of the defendant’s warehouses, six heavy bags of sugar, which were being handled by the defendant’s employees using a crane, fell and struck him. The claimant
