Court Cases (e.g., Carlill v Carbolic Smoke Ball Co)

Carlill v Carbolic Smoke Ball Co (1892) is a landmark English case in contract law. The Carbolic Smoke Ball Company advertised a product claiming it would prevent influenza and promised £100 to anyone who caught the flu after using it as directed. Mrs. Carlill did use the product and fell ill, seeking the promised reward. The court ruled in her favor, stating that the advertisement constituted a unilateral offer, which she accepted by using the product. This case established important principles regarding offers and acceptance in contract law, highlighting that advertisements can create binding obligations if clearly stated.