2025 Question 4 — LawShortcut Independent Model Answer
Trespass to Goods · Conversion · Detinue
Scenario summary
Ten years ago, Mr A set up 2nd Hand Books Ltd, which resells paperbacks that members of the public drop into crates left outside its premises; in 2023 the company made €500,000 in profit. Late in 2023, a rival trader, Mr B, sets up Second Hnd Books Ltd in the unit next door, dealing in second-hand hardbacks.
Over the course of 2024, the volume of books left in A's crates falls off. It emerges that B has been taking books out of the crates, holding on to them and reselling them over the internet. A then leaves B a message seeking their return, but B neither replies nor hands them back. A puts his losses at €150,000 from the reduced supply of books and a further €250,000 in lost sales since the rival opened.
Candidates are asked to advise on the tort claims arising and on quantum.
This is a LawShortcut scenario summary written in our own words. For the exact examined wording, use the official King’s Inns paper linked above.
What this model answer covers
Issues and structure addressed in the full LawShortcut model answer:
- 1. Who Is the Claimant?
- 2. Books Removed from the Crates
- 3. 'Second Hnd Books Ltd' — Passing Off
Read the complete LawShortcut model answer to this question — reading the question, issue spotting, the applicable law, application to the facts and conclusions — inside the King’s Inns Tort Model Answer Vault.
Part of the King’s Inns Tort Model Answer Vault — 30 independently authored model answers, 2020—2025.