Partridge v Crittenden (1968) is an English contract law case that dealt with the issue of invitations to treat.
In this case, Partridge placed an advertisement in a magazine offering for sale some bramblefinch hens, which were protected under the Protection of Birds Act 1954. The advertisement stated that the hens were for sale at a certain price, and interested buyers were instructed to contact Partridge.
Crittenden saw the advertisement and contacted Partridge to purchase one of the hens. Partridge refused to sell the hen to Crittenden, stating that it was illegal to sell the bramblefinch hens. Crittenden sued Partridge for breach of contract, claiming that the advertisement was an offer that he had accepted by contacting Partridge.
The court held that the advertisement was not an offer, but rather an invitation to treat. The court held that the advertisement was merely an invitation for interested buyers to make an offer to purchase the hens, and that Partridge was not bound to accept any of the offers he received.
The case of Partridge v Crittenden is an important case in the law of contract as it established the principle that advertisements, in general, are invitations to treat rather than offers. The case confirmed that a person who places an advertisement is not bound to accept all offers received, and that the advertisement is merely an invitation for interested parties to make an offer.