Case Law
Case Law Introduction
Chapter 9 of our publication Managing Visitor Safety in the Countryside looks in detail at the legislation and court judgements that affect visitor safety and outlines your responsibilities under the law.
This section of our website does not repeat this information. It contains summaries of recent court judgements that have been given since our book was first published.
- Risky activities, climbing-wall case
You do not have to stop adults from willingly undertaking risky activities on your property. Nor do you have a duty to ascertain their level of competence, train or supervise them.
- Aonach Mor Skiing Case
You do not need to protect against obvious and natural features of the landscape. You can take into account the adverse impact signs would have on natural beauty.
- Cwm Clydach Case
In the event of an accident, you need to demonstrate that your actions were reasonable in the circumstances. This case illustrates some of the circumstances that can be considered.
- Brereton Heath Country Park Case
Helps to define your responsibilities to visitors under the Occupiers’ Liability Acts. In particular it considers people’s freedom to choose to participate in hazardous activities.
- Hampstead Heath Swimming Case
You can grant permission for risky activities to take place on your property without making yourself liable to prosecution under the 1974 Health and Safety at Work Act through the conduct of your undertaking or the condition of your premises.