Gilbert v Holms

Misrepresentation – Negligent misrepresentation. The claimant invested £200,000 in a private company incorporated by the defendant to conduct further clinical trials of a new class of drug for the treatment hepatitis and a range of sexually transmitted diseases. She brought a claim, alleging that she had done so in reliance on negligent misstatement by the defendant. The Chancery Division held that the defendant was liable to the claimant for negligent misrepresentation by reason of the material omissions from a document issued by the directors of the company about the use of the investment proceeds. Damages were assessed in the sum of £200,000.