LEGAL officials from around the world are preparing to head to Paisley to mark the 80th anniversary of a landmark Scottish case that launched a million lawsuits.
Leading judges, lawyers and academics will gather at a conference to celebrate the "Paisley snail in the bottle case" – a famous legal action which established the law of negligence internationally.
The case, Donoghue v Stevenson, began in 1928 when shop assistant May Donoghue ordered a ginger beer at the Minghella Cafe in the town. What appeared to be the remains of a decomposing snail dropped from the bottle into the glass and she began to feel unwell.
Mrs Donoghue went on to sue Paisley-based manufacturer David Stevenson for £500 on the basis that he had a duty of care to consumers and the door opened on compensation culture.
Event organiser Joe Bryce, an advocate, said: "This case is the foundation of the entire modern law of negligence.
"It's the basis of you being able to sue anyone who does you wrong and it gives people quite a fundamental level of protection.
"The case has such quirky characteristics to it and is famous around the world. All first-year law students are told about it and there are dozens of books about the case, looking at it from every point of view. There's also a lot of snail lore surrounding the case and many different views on whether there was actually a snail in the bottle or not."
The two-day conference, which takes place on May 25 and 26, will be chaired by Court of Session judge Lord Kinclaven and includes delegates from Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Austria, Macau and the Philippines.
Scotland's most senior judge, the Lord President, Lord Hamilton will feature as a keynote speaker, alongside Lance Finch, the Chief Justice of British Columbia, Martin Taylor, QC, of Vancouver, Professor Allan Hutchinson, of York University, Canada and Professor Joe Thomson, of Glasgow University.
They will discuss the impact the case has had on legal systems around the world and address one the of the most intriguing questions in the case – was there ever really a snail in the bottle?
Mr Bryce added: "The conference is a wonderful opportunity for Scotland to celebrate its place in the development of the law internationally.
"I can't imagine a more stellar line up of speakers and delegates. These are the top people working in the field of negligence in the world."
Prior to Mrs Donoghue's case, the common law only acknowledged a duty of care was owed to people harmed by a dangerous product or the negligent acts of others under a contract.
But solicitor Walter Leechman took up the case and progressed it all the way to the House of Lords three years later in December 1931.
On May 26, 1932, judge Lord Atkin of Aberdovey found in favour of Mrs Donoghue.
He said: "You must take reasonable care to avoid acts or omissions which you can reasonably foresee would be likely to injure your neighbour."
Mrs Donoghue received £200 from the firm and the tiny snail gave new power to consumers.
Proceeds from the conference will fund a law clinic which helps students gain experience and offers free legal advice. Visit www.uws.ac.uk/thepaisleysnail.
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