HOUGHTON & CO. v. NOTHARD, LOWE & WILLS, LTD.

(1927) 29 Ll L Rep 63

HOUSE OF LORDS.

Before Viscount Dunedin, Viscount Sumner, Lord Atkinson, Lord Shaw and Lord Carson.

Contract-Breach-Title to bills of lading- Agreement between fruit brokers (plaintiffs) and fruit importing company A that brokers should receive consignments to both company A and company B (defendants); proceeds to go in reduction of advances made to company A-Companies A and B in close relationship, directors of company A being on board of company B-Purported ratification of agreement by letter from secretary of company B- Whether binding on company B-Necessity to ascertain powers given by articles of association-Estoppel in pais- Knowledge of director who was particeps criminis-Whether knowledge of company.