Sample Quizzes For Preparation: Rylands v Fletcher

A2 Level Law – Quiz: 4.2.3 Rylands v Fletcher (Strict Liability)

Topic: Torts Relating to Land – Rylands v Fletcher

Question 1

What kind of liability is imposed under Rylands v Fletcher?
A. Vicarious liability
B. Negligent liability
C. Absolute liability
D. Strict liability

Question 2

In Rylands v Fletcher, which of the following must occur for liability to arise?
A. Direct damage from the defendant’s act
B. Escape of something dangerous from the defendant’s land
C. Trespass by the claimant
D. Criminal intent

Question 3

What must the defendant do to be held liable under Rylands v Fletcher?
A. Be negligent
B. Fail to warn the claimant
C. Accumulate a dangerous thing on their land
D. Intend to cause harm

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT a valid defence under Rylands v Fletcher?
A. Act of a third party
B. Consent of the claimant
C. Public policy
D. Act of God

Question 5

Which case first established the principle of strict liability under Rylands v Fletcher?
A. Read v Lyons
B. Nichols v Marsland
C. Transco v Stockport
D. Rylands v Fletcher (1868)

Question 6

What does ‘non-natural use of land’ mean in this context?
A. Any residential use of property
B. Unusual use likely to increase danger
C. Use approved by local authorities
D. Agricultural use

Question 7

In Giles v Walker (1890), why was the defendant not held liable?
A. The escape was caused by negligence
B. The thing was not dangerous
C. The weeds spread naturally
D. There was no proof of ownership

Question 8

Which of the following would most likely be considered a non-natural use of land?
A. Growing vegetables
B. Installing a domestic water tank
C. Keeping toxic chemicals
D. Building a wooden fence

Question 9

Which case limited the application of Rylands by requiring actual ‘escape’?
A. Cambridge Water v Eastern Counties
B. Transco v Stockport MBC
C. Read v Lyons
D. Perry v Kendricks Transport

Question 10

Which element does NOT need to be proven under Rylands v Fletcher?
A. Duty of care
B. Escape
C. Dangerous thing
D. Non-natural use

Question 11

What is the purpose of the rule in Rylands v Fletcher?
A. To prevent nuisance
B. To punish negligence
C. To impose liability for extraordinary risks
D. To regulate contracts

Question 12

The decision in Transco v Stockport MBC emphasized which of the following?
A. No strict liability in nuisance cases
B. Domestic water supply is a natural use
C. Explosion liability is criminal, not civil
D. Public utilities are always liable

Question 13

What is meant by the ‘escape’ requirement in this tort?
A. The thing must leave the jurisdiction
B. It must leave the defendant’s land
C. It must be destroyed
D. It must vanish naturally

Question 14

Which of the following best illustrates a dangerous thing under Rylands?
A. Domestic sewage
B. Large quantities of water in a reservoir
C. Trees in a public park
D. Farm tools in a barn

Question 15

What is the effect of the ‘act of God’ defence?
A. Allows partial compensation
B. Shifts liability to the government
C. Completely exempts the defendant
D. Delays the trial

Question 16

In Nichols v Marsland, why was the defendant not held liable?
A. Negligence could not be proven
B. Consent was obtained
C. The damage was caused by an unprecedented storm
D. The water did not escape

Question 17

Which of the following would NOT qualify as a defence in a Rylands claim?
A. The accumulation was a hobby
B. Consent of the claimant
C. Act of a stranger
D. Statutory authority

Question 18

Which one of the following is most likely to cause Rylands liability?
A. A tree falling during a storm
B. A dog biting a guest
C. A chemical leak from an industrial plant
D. A neighbour playing loud music

Question 19

Under Rylands v Fletcher, who can bring a claim?
A. Any passerby
B. Only owners of adjoining land
C. Anyone affected by the escape
D. Anyone physically injured

Question 20

Which concept was narrowed in Cambridge Water v Eastern Counties?
A. Consent of the claimant
B. Reasonable foreseeability of harm
C. Nature of strict liability
D. Public interest defence

Question 21

Which of the following is most relevant to calculating damages in Rylands cases?
A. Mental distress
B. Cost of replacement or repair
C. Emotional trauma
D. Breach of statutory duty

Question 22

Which type of law does Rylands v Fletcher fall under?
A. Contract law
B. Tort law
C. Equity
D. Constitutional law

Question 23

Which of these would most likely NOT succeed under Rylands?
A. Gas escape causing explosion
B. Oil leakage from industrial storage
C. Rain flooding a basement
D. Sewage spill from blocked system

Question 24

How has Rylands v Fletcher been treated in modern law?
A. Extended in scope
B. Merged into nuisance
C. Made part of contract law
D. Abolished by statute

Question 25

Which principle supports Rylands liability even when the defendant wasn’t negligent?
A. Res ipsa loquitur
B. Volenti non fit injuria
C. Strict liability
D. Duty of care

Question 26

Why is fault not essential in Rylands claims?
A. It’s a criminal tort
B. It’s based on ownership
C. It is strict liability
D. It only applies to public spaces

Question 27

What is the main objective of Rylands v Fletcher tort?
A. Punish wrongful intent
B. Protect industrial operations
C. Compensate victims of dangerous escapes
D. Uphold criminal penalties

Question 28

Who bears the burden of proof in Rylands cases?
A. The defendant
B. The judge
C. The claimant
D. The government

Question 29

What test is applied to determine non-natural use?
A. Subjective intention test
B. Common usage test
C. Reasonable foreseeability test
D. Historical custom test

Question 30

Which of the following cases is linked to escape of gas?
A. Perry v Kendricks
B. Read v Lyons
C. Transco v Stockport
D. Shiffman v Order of St John

Answer Key with Explanations

1. D – Strict liability means no need to prove fault.
2. B – There must be an escape from land.
3. C – Accumulation of a dangerous item is key.
4. C – Public policy is not a specific defence.
5. D – Originating case of this principle.
6. B – Unusual, dangerous use is non-natural.
7. C – Weeds spread naturally = no liability.
8. C – Toxic chemicals are inherently dangerous.
9. C – Read v Lyons required escape.
10. A – No duty of care needs proving.
11. C – Protect others from extraordinary risks.
12. B – Normal use of water supply = natural.
13. B – It must escape the defendant’s land.
14. B – Reservoir water can cause damage.
15. C – It’s a full defence.
16. C – Storm was an Act of God.
17. A – Hobby does not excuse strict liability.
18. C – Chemical leaks fall squarely under this rule.
19. C – Anyone suffering property damage.
20. B – Foreseeability now required.
21. B – Damage to property is compensable.
22. B – It is a tort of strict liability.
23. C – Natural rain likely won’t qualify.
24. B – Now considered part of nuisance.
25. C – Core principle of the rule.
26. C – No fault necessary under strict liability.
27. C – Goal is compensation, not punishment.
28. C – Claimant must prove the elements.
29. C – Foreseeability is key after Cambridge Water.
30. C – Transco case dealt with gas pipe.