Mouse's case

Mouse’s Case (1608) is a landmark English law judgment. The matter helped establish the defence of necessity in tort.

A ferryman was carrying forty-seven people, including one named Mouse off Gravesend, when a storm threatened the barge. Another passenger threw the cargo overboard to save the barge. Mouse’s casket included £113 inside and he sued the passenger for its loss.

It was, however, still incumbered on the ferryman to contribute to the reimburse of the loss.