A section of footpath on Hammersmith Bridge was fenced off in order to provide a viewing area for a regatta. Mr Bird tried to enter the fenced area, but Mr Jones, the clerk of the bridge company, told him could only do so if he paid a fee. Mr Bird refused to pay, entering instead by climbing over the fence. Once over the fence, his way was blocked by two policemen, who had been hired by Mr Jones. Mr Bird brought a claim against Mr Jones for false imprisonment.
Where is it on the map?
At point O.
Who won?
Mr Jones. All the justices (except Denman CJ) agreed that blocking a person's way, whilst they were still able to travel in another direction, was not sufficient in itself to amount to false imprisonment.
What's the principle of law?
This remains an important case for understanding the tort of false imprisonment. Williams J stated that false imprisonment had to involve the 'total restraint of the liberty of the person, for however short a time' rather than simply 'a partial obstruction of his will, whatever inconvenience it may bring on him.'
What's it like today?
Hammersmith Bridge today is not the bridge that Mr Bird and Mr Jones walked on. That bridge opened in 1827 but had a number of structural problems and was replaced by the current structure in 1887.
Interestingly, the first bridge was built by George, William and Stephen Bird, a West London firm of builders. There is a memorial to the Bird family at the site of their former home on Shepherds Bush Road. To see a photo of the plaque, and read the inscription, take a look at the excellent Plaques of London website.
Interestingly, the first bridge was built by George, William and Stephen Bird, a West London firm of builders. There is a memorial to the Bird family at the site of their former home on Shepherds Bush Road. To see a photo of the plaque, and read the inscription, take a look at the excellent Plaques of London website.
The replacement bridge was designed by Sir Joseph Bazalgette and, like its predecessor has also been plagued by weaknesses. It was closed to traffic for much of the 1990s but is currently open, albeit with a weight restriction in place.
Hammersmith Bridge has one more Bird connection: at the entrance to the bridge a notice of the bridge by-laws is attributed to one James Bird, Deputy Clerk of the London County Council. The notice is dated 1914 and is not unique to Hammersmith Bridge - but it is not inconceivable that James Bird the Deputy Clerk of the Council was a relative of the Birds that built the bridge, or even the Mr Bird who fell out with the clerk of the bridge company, Mr Jones.
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