Scouting

Scout Association v Barnes [2010] EWCA Civ 1476

Counsel: For the appellant: Patrick Field QC, David Boyle For the respondent: Bruce Silvester Solicitors: For the appellant: Kennedys LLP For the respondent: Irwin Mitchell Solicitors

This was an appeal by the Scout Association against a decision that it was liable for damages for personal injuries suffered by the respondent, who was 13 years old at the time, and had been injured in the course of a game called “Objects in the Dark” at a scout meeting. The game involved placing blocks in the middle of a room while players ran around. Then half the main lights were switched off and, at any given moment, the rest of the lights would be switched off and the players would run to the middle of the room and grab a block. When the main lights were turned off, the hall was not in pitch darkness, as some light was supplied by emergency lighting as well as certain other sources outside the hall. As there were not enough blocks for every player, several rounds were played until one boy was left holding a block and was declared the winner. The game resembled another game that was played with the lights on.