Denning MR's principle. Note that Burmah was always advised by expert lawyers and merchant bankers and would have got no better price elsewhere (because selling such a large block of shares would depress the price). A general principle? Lloyds Bank Ltd v Bundy [1975] QB 326 National Westminster Bank plc v Morgan [1985] AC 686, 698 Statutory regulation Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977 Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999 Unfair Contract Terms Bill See also English contract law English unjust enrichment law Duress (contract law) Undue influence Economic tort Baird Textile Holdings Ltd v Marks & Spencer plc Vegelahn v. Guntner 167 Mass. 92, 107 (1896) Holmes J, "The word "threats" often is used as if, when it appeared that threats had been made, it appeared that unlawful conduct had begun. But it depends on what you threaten. As a general rule, even if subject to some exceptions, what you may do in a certain event you may threaten to do, that is, give warning of your intention to do in that event, and thus allow the other person the chance of avoiding the consequences." Notes References P Birks, ‘The Travails of Duress’ [1990] LMCLQ 342, argued there is a policy choice in applying a duress doctrine. A wide principle, to give weight to the initial agreement, a narrow principle to uphold renegotiations. Which is better? Enman, 'Doctrines of Unconscionability in England, Canada and the Commonwealth' (1987) 16 Anglo-American Law Review 191 AA Leff, 'Unconscionability and the Code: The Emperor's New Clause' (1967) 115 University of Pennsylvania Law Review 485-559 Slayton, 'The Unequal Bargain Doctrine' (1976) 22 McGill Law Journal 94 SA Smith, 'Contracting Under Pressure: A Theory of Duress' [1997] Cambridge Law Journal 343, 371 M Trebilcock, 'Economic Criteria of Unconscionability' in Reiter and Swan (eds), Studies in Contract Law 390–396, 404-408 Waddams, 'Unconscionability in Contracts' (1976) 39 Modern Law Review 369 RA Epstein, 'Unconscionability: A Critical Reappraisal' (1975) 18 Journal of Law and Economics 293, 297, “The question of duress is not that of the equality of bargaining power in a loose sense that refers to the wealth of the parties. It is the question of what means are proper to achieve agreement.” English contract law Legal doctrines and principles