1. Foundation Law
Lecture 16
Introduction to Equity
Reading List:
Glanville Williams: Learning the Law, 15th
edition, pages 21-24 (“Common Law & Equity”)
Cases:
• Central London Property Trust Ltd v High Trees House Ltd (1947)
• Combe v Combe (1951)
Preparatory Questions for Seminar 15:
1. What is Equity?
2. What is specific performance and how is it different to the common law remedy of damages?
3. What is promissory estoppel? Use relevant case law to explain your answer.
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Learning Outcomes:
 Understand what equity is and how it interacts with the common law;
 Describe and explain the nature of equitable remedies and the circumstances under which they can
be sought;
 Explain what the doctrine of promissory estoppel is and the principle that estoppel is a “shield and
not a sword”;
 Outline the facts and judgement of Central London Property Trust Ltd v High Trees House Ltd
(1947);
 Apply legal principles to given facts and demonstrate criticality & analysis when answering fact
based questions; and
 Analyse case law and be able to apply case law in a persuasive manner to hypothetical case studies.

2. Foundation Law
4. What was the ratio decendi in the case of Central London Property Trust Ltd v High Trees
House Ltd (1947)?
5. What does the principle that “estoppel is a shield and not a sword” mean? Use relevant case
law to explain your answer.
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