Allcard v Skinner

Allcard v Skinner
Court	Court of Appeal
Citation(s)	(1887) 36 Ch D 145
Case opinions
Lindley LJ, Cotton LJ
Keywords
Undue influence

Allcard v Skinner (1887) 36 Ch D 145 is a judicial decision under English law dealing with undue influence.

Miss Allcard was introduced by the Revd Mr Nihill to Miss Skinner, a lady superior of a religious order named "Protestant Sisters of the Poor". She had to observe vows of poverty and obedience. Three days after becoming a member, Miss Allcard made a will bequeathing all property to Miss Skinner, and passed on railway stock that she came into possession of in 1872 and 1874. She then claimed the money back after she left the sisterhood.

Lindley LJ, held that she was unduly influenced but barred by laches from getting restitution. And in any case she would only have been able to recover as much of the gift as remained in the defendant’s hands after some of it had been spent in accordance with her wishes.

Cotton LJ said,

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