Parkinson v College of Ambulance Ltd and Harrison

A case on Consideration one of the requirements in the formation of a Contract. In this 1925 case Colonel Parkinson was approached by the secretary of the College of Ambulance, Mr. Harrison. He gave the College a donation of 3,000 pounds in the expectation that Mr. Harrison would recommend him for a knighthood in return. This case was included in the Times list of "cases that changed Britain" (but the Times material may now be behind a paywall). This is a case where a charity tried to get donations on the basis that it could obtain knighthoods for the donors. An example of a contract with an illegal purpose. In fact the consideration was illegal. Parkinson was unable to recover the money which he had donated in the expectation of receiving an honour, because this sort of activity could "corrupt public life". This case was included in the Times list of "cases that changed Britain" (but the Times material may now be behind a paywall). Cleggs solicitors provide a list of other kinds of contract which would be illegal at common law.