Sherwood v. Walker

Sherwood v. Walker is a landmark case in contract law from 1887 that addresses the issue of mutual mistake. In this case, a farmer sold a cow, thinking it was barren, but the buyer later discovered the cow was pregnant. The seller sought to rescind the contract, arguing that he had been mistaken about the cow’s condition. The court ruled in favor of the buyer, emphasizing that a mutual mistake doesn’t automatically void a contract unless the mistake pertains to a fundamental aspect of the agreement. This case highlights the importance of clear communication and intention in contracts.