Fisher v Bell [1961] 1 QB 394

The defendant had a flick knife displayed in his shop window with a price tag on it. Statute made it a criminal offence to 'offer' such flick knives for sale. His conviction was quashed as goods on display in shops are not 'offers' in the technical sense but an invitation to treat. The court applied the literal rule of statutory interpretation.

Teacher resources on statutory interpretation

Back to lecture outline on offer and acceptance in Contract Law

Back to lecture outline on the literal rule of statutory interpretation