Occupier's Liability – Defence Upheld In "Slip & Fall" At Cinema

Keywords: High Court, Yau Tsz Hin v. Broadway Theatre Company Limited

Summary

In a recent decision handed down by the High Court, Yau Tsz Hin v. Broadway Theatre Company Limited, HCPI 674 of 2010, the cinema successfully defended a 'slip and fall' claim lodged by its patron. The conduct of the defence focussed on the cinema having in place an adequate cleaning and inspection system. The High Court accepted this and held that the cinema had discharged its reasonable duty of care owed to its visitors.

Background

The plaintiff was one of the cinema's patrons. It was her case that she slipped and fell down a flight of stairs as she was making her way back down to the theatre after visiting the lavatory. The plaintiff alleged the steps of the stairs were rendered wet and slippery by the soles of her shoes after she had treaded across the wet lavatory floor. She also alleged the staircase was insufficiently lit.