Sturges v Bridgman
Encyclopedia
Sturges v Bridgman LR 11 Ch D 852 is a landmark case in nuisance
. It decides that what constitutes reasonable use of one's property depends on the character of the locality. Though it may in some cases be harsh, this means therefore that it is not necessarily a defence to a nuisance claim to say "I was here first".
Nuisance in English law
Nuisance in English law is an area of tort law broadly divided into two torts; private nuisance, where the actions of the defendant are "causing a substantial and unreasonable interference with a [claimant]'s land or his use or enjoyment of that land", and public nuisance, where the defendant's...
. It decides that what constitutes reasonable use of one's property depends on the character of the locality. Though it may in some cases be harsh, this means therefore that it is not necessarily a defence to a nuisance claim to say "I was here first".