OLL Ltd v Secretary of State for the Home Department - QBD (May J) - 16 June 1997

Negligence - Whether coastguard owes duty of care at common law to persons in danger at sea

OLL Ltd (“OLL”) brought a claim against the Secretary of State for the Home Department under the Civil Liability (Contribution) Act 1978 for an indemnity against or contribution towards claims settled between OLL and families and individuals who had brought actions arising out of a disastrous canoeing expedition off Lyme Regis in March 1993. OLL alleged that the coastguard negligently misdirected personnel and equipment while trying to rescue the canoeists.