Somersett's Case was a landmark legal case in 1772 in England that addressed the status of enslaved individuals. The case involved James Somersett, an enslaved man who escaped from his owner, Charles Stewart, while in London. Stewart sought to have Somersett returned to slavery, leading to a court battle over whether slavery was legal in England. The ruling by Lord Mansfield declared that slavery was unsupported by common law in England, effectively stating that Somersett could not be forcibly returned to slavery. This case set a significant precedent, contributing to the growing abolitionist movement in Britain and influencing future discussions on slavery and human rights.