In Donoghue v Stevenson [1932] AC 562, Lord Atkin referred to 'acts or omissions which you can reasonably foresee would be likely to injure your neighbour'. However, in Smith v Littlewoods Organisation Ltd [1987] 1 All ER 710, Lord Goff stated: 'the common law does not impose liability for what are called pure omissions'.

Critically assess the circumstances in which a failure to act may give rise to a claim in negligence.