Verrall v Great Yarmouth BC [1981] QB 202

Court of Appeal

Basic Facts : D agreed to hire its hall to the National Front for a conference. After a political change, the contract was repudiated. The C sought specific performance.

Issue for the Court : What effect do contractual licenses have on a licensor?

Held :The court held that a licensee could enforce a license for land use, even against a new owner, if the license was granted for a fixed period.

Lord Denning MR

• A license, once granted, cannot be revoked without affecting the licensee's rights.

• Specific performance can be ordered to enforce a contractual license if the licensor refuses entry.