Goldman v Hargrave [1967] 1 AC 645 is an Australian and English tort law case decided by the Privy Council concerning breach of duty.
A 100 foot high red gum was hit by lightning and caught fire on Goldman's land in Gidgegannup, Western Australia, just past the Swan River outside Perth. The tree was cut down by the council and the proprietor let the remainder burn itself out. The wind changed and the fire spread, damaging much of Hargrave's property next door.
The Privy Council advised that the landowner was liable for negligence. Lord Wilberforce gave the opinion and said the following:
He then held the occupier, Goldman, had a duty to act, and said he failed âÂÂto act with reasonable prudence so as to remove the hazard.âÂÂ