Thorne v Motor Trade Association [1937] AC 797  House of Lords

A motor trader was found to be engaged in price fixing in violation of the rules of the Trade Association. He was offered the option of paying a fine as an alternative to being placed on a stop list.

Held:

The Trade Association had a right to place the trader on the stop list and also had a right to demand money as an alternative. Had the fine been levelled at an extortionate rate the, position may well have been different.

Lord Wright:

"I think the word 'menace' is to be liberally construed and not as limited to threats of violence but as including threats of any action detrimental to or unpleasant to the person addressed. It may also include a warning that in certain events such action is intended."

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