Leaf v International Galleries [1950] 2 KB 86

The claimant purchased a painting from the defendant. Both parties believed that the painting was by the artist Constable. In fact 5 years later the claimant discovered the painting was not a Constable. The claimant brought an action based both on misrepresentation and mistake.

The claim based on misrepresentation was successful however, since it was an innocent misrepresentation, the claimant had lost the right to rescind the contract through lapse of time. With innocent misrep the time starts to run from the date of the contract not the date of discovery.

The claim based on mistake was unsuccessful as the mistake related to the quality and did not render the subject matter something essentially different from that which it was believed to be. He believed he was buying a painting and he got a painting. 

Back to lecture outline on Mistake or Misrepresentation or contract remedies in contract law