Caveat Emptor - Definition - Law Dictionary Home Dictionary Definition caveat-emptor

Definition :

Caveat emptor. Hob. 99.--(Let the purchaser beware.)

The rule of 'caveat emptor' as to purchase of goods and animals with its existing modifications was thrown into statutory shape by s. 14 of the (English) Sale of Goods Act, 1893, by which 'subject to the provision of this Act and of any statute in that behalf' (as e.g., the (English) Fertilisers and Feeding Stuffs Act, 1926 (16 & 17 Geo. 5, c. 45), s. 1), 'there is no implied warranty or condition as to the quality or fitness for any particular purpose of goods supplied under a contract of sale,' except (1) on a purchase in reliance on the seller's skill; or (2) on a purchase by description from a seller who deals in goods of that description, in which case there is an implied warranty that the goods shall be of merchantable quality; or (3) by usage of trade.

As to the implied condition of the right of a seller to sell the goods, see s. 12, ibid.