Lumley v. Gye
Court of Queen's Bench
118 Eng. Rep. 749 (1853)
Relevant factsFree
Opera house operator Benjamin Lumley (plaintiff) employed performer Johanna Wagner under a contract barring her from performing elsewhere during the season; rival venue operator Frederick Gye (defendant), seeking to harm Lumley's business, maliciously enticed Wagner into accepting other employment, causing her to breach her contract with Lumley and stop performing at his opera house, and Lumley sued Gye for damages.
IssueFree
Whether an individual who wrongfully and maliciously persuades a party to a contract for personal services to break the contract is liable for the harm caused to the injured party.