Reardon Smith Line Ltd v Hansen-Tangen (The Diana Prosperity)

The case of Reardon Smith Line Ltd v Hansen-Tangen (The Diana Prosperity) (1976) considered whether a vessel built at a different shipyard and under a different hull number than specified in the charterparty could be rejected by the charterers.

Also known as: Hansen-Tangen v Sanko Steamship Co Ltd, The Diana Prosperity

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This case law note has been reviewed by a law tutor

🏛️ Court: House of Lords
🗓️ Judgment Date: 7 October 1976
🗂️ Where Reported: [1976] 1 W.L.R. 989; [1976] 3 All E.R. 570; [1976] 2 Lloyd's Rep. 621
📍 Jurisdiction: United Kingdom

⚖️ Legal Principles

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Contract Interpretation Flexibility: The House of Lords emphasised that commercial contracts should be interpreted in a practical manner, focusing on the contract's purpose rather than adhering to overly technical or rigid interpretations that might distort the parties' intentions.