October 5, 2025
Vowles v Evans [2003] EWCA Civ 318
A rugby player was paralysed after a scrum collapsed. He sued the referee for allowing an inexperienced substitute into the front row. The court held that referees owe a duty of care to players to enforce safety rules, establishing referee liability for negligence. Facts The claimant, Mr Richard Vowles, was rendered tetraplegic after a scrum collapsed during an amateur rugby match in January 2000. The injury occurred after a prop forward had to be substituted. The replacement prop, Mr Christopher Ley, had not played in the front row for many years and lacked the necessary experience. The claimant argued that
