Is negligent misstatement the same as negligent misrepresentation?

Asked by: Dr. Leon Daniel  |  Last update: October 5, 2022
Score: 4.7/5 (70 votes)

Negligent misstatement is not strictly part of the law of misrepresentation, but is a tort based upon the 1964 obiter dicta in Hedley Byrne v Heller where the House of Lords found that a negligently-made statement (if relied upon) could be actionable provided a "special relationship" existed between the parties.

What is the difference between negligence and misrepresentation?

Unlike a fraudulent misrepresentation, which requires that the person making the representation know it is false or incorrect and intend to deceive or mislead, a negligent misrepresentation merely requires that one fail to exercise reasonable care or competence to obtain or communicate information that is true or ...

What is an example of negligent misrepresentation?

Negligent misrepresentation occurs when someone makes a statement without regard to the true facts. For instance, if you tell a person that a stereo system is brand new when it is four-years-old and has been used heavily, then this can be considered negligent misrepresentation.

What are the 3 types of misrepresentation?

There are three types of misrepresentations—innocent misrepresentation, negligent misrepresentation, and fraudulent misrepresentation—all of which have varying remedies.

What are the elements of negligent misrepresentation?

“The elements of negligent misrepresentation are (1) the defendant made a false representation as to a past or existing material fact; (2) the defendant made the representation without reasonable ground for believing it to be true; (3) in making the representation, the defendant intended to deceive the plaintiff; (4) ...

Negligent Misrepresentation

26 related questions found

What is negligent misrepresentation tort?

Negligent misrepresentation is a separate and distinct species of the tort of deceit. When a defendant makes false statements, honestly believing that they are true, but without reasonable ground for such belief, he may be liable for negligent misrepresentation.

How does a plaintiff prove negligent misrepresentation?

the representor must have acted negligently in making the misrepresentation; the representee must have relied, in a reasonable manner, on the misrepresentation; and. the reliance must have been detrimental to the representee in the sense that damages resulted.

How is negligent misstatement a contractual problem?

An action for negligent misstatement arises where Party A has carelessly made a statement to Party B, where the relationship between the parties is such that Party A owes Party B a duty of care. A negligent misstatement claim is brought at common law in tort.

What is a legal misstatement of fact?

— The term “misrepresentation of fact” means a false statement of substantive fact, or conduct that leads to a belief of a substantive fact material to proper understanding of the matter in hand, made with intent to deceive or mislead.

What are the 4 elements of misrepresentation?

Misrepresentation—what statements will establish a claim?
  • the statement relied on by the representee was a statement of fact made to them by or on behalf of the representor.
  • the statement was intended by the representor to induce the representee to enter into the contract.

What must be proven in an action for negligent misrepresentation?

In order to prove a prima facie case of negligent misrepresentation, the plaintiff must prove that the defendant made a negligent misrepresentation to the plaintiff, that there was actual and justifiable reliance on the misrepresentation, that the misrepresentation was the actual and proximate cause of the plaintiff ...

What damages are available for negligent misrepresentation?

The remedies for misrepresentation are rescission and/or damages. For fraudulent and negligent misrepresentation, the claimant may claim rescission and damages.

What are the damages for negligent misrepresentation?

If a misrepresentation is fraudulent or negligent, the claimant may claim both rescission and damages under s2(1) of the Misrepresentation Act 1967 (the Act). If a misrepresentation is negligent or innocent, the court has the discretion to award rescission or damages in lieu of rescission under s2(2) of the Act.

How do you prove negligent misstatement?

Complexity of negligent misstatement cases
  1. Foreseeability: Was the damage suffered foreseeable? Was the particular claim foreseeable?
  2. Proximity: Was there a “special relationship” between the claimant and the defendant?
  3. Fairness: Would it be fair, just and reasonable to impose a duty in such a situation?

What is the difference between misrepresentation and mistake?

In brief: Mistake vs Misrepresentation • A mistake is inadvertent and only an error on the part of the person committing it while misrepresentation is often wilful or intentional, done with the intention of gaining wrongfully.

What is the difference between misrepresentation and representation?

Difference between representation and misrepresentation: Representation - true statement by one or more parties to the agreement, Misrepresentation – false or untrue statement by one party which is believed on by the other party when they enter a contract.

Who can sue for negligent misstatement?

The claimant must be someone who is immediately foreseeable as likely to suffer a loss in consequence of the defendant's negligent statement. They must generally be a relatively small group to whom the duty of care may potentially be deemed to be owed.

What 3 things must be present for it to be a misrepresentation?

Fraudulent misrepresentation was defined by Lord Herschell in Derry v Peek (1889) as a false statement that is “made (i) knowingly, or (ii) without belief in its truth, or (iii) recklessly, careless as to whether it be true or false.” Therefore, if someone makes a statement which they honestly believe is true, then it ...

What is the most serious type of misrepresentation?

Fraudulent Misrepresentation

This is the most serious type of misrepresentation in the business world. This is when a party knowingly makes false statements in order to coerce the other party to sign a contract.

What is negligent representation?

Fraudulent Misrepresentation is a Reckless Disregard for Truth. The sole difference between the two is that fraudulent misrepresentation necessitates a reckless disregard for the truth. Negligent representation involves someone committing misrepresentation but may not necessarily know it is false.

Is negligent misrepresentation a breach of contract?

As a result of the failure, the person acting negligently causes a plaintiff to incur money damages. Negligent misrepresentation in the contract setting is the failure to verify whether a statement of fact in a contract is truthful.

What are the 5 elements of misrepresentation?

  • The misrepresentation must be of material facts: ...
  • The misrepresentation must be false, but the person making it honestly believes it to be true: ...
  • The misrepresentations must induce the other party to enter into contract: ...
  • The misrepresentation must have been addressed by one party to the party misled:

Can there be a mistake and a misrepresentation?

A misrepresentation can be deliberate, or may be accidental. As often as misrepresentation is claimed, it is equally as often that the doctrine of mistake is overlooked by claimants; when first bringing their litigation dispute to the attention of their commercial lawyer.

What are some examples of misrepresentation?

Expressly making a misleading statement that a party knows is untruthful is a misrepresentation if it leads the other party to agree to a contract. Assume, for example, that a car salesperson in a private transaction misrepresents the car's number of miles.

What are two kinds of bilateral mistakes?

There are two types of bilateral mistakes that can occur: subject matter mistakes and a possibility of performance mistakes. Subject matter mistakes occur when both parties make a mistake regarding the subject matter of the contract.