Be careful of granting vague credit terms.
31st October 2016 by Rob Kelly
Businesses are often under commercial pressure to grant credit to important clients but the judgment in Trafigura PTE Ltd v Taci Oil International Trading and Supply Company SH.A [2015] EWHC 3730 (Comm) illustrates how easy it is for such debts to get out of control. A commodities trading company had agreed to defer payment of part of a favoured customer’s bills but ended up being owed almost $5.3 million.
The claimant regularly supplied large volumes of gasoil and gasoline to the defendant Albanian client and to assist with the defendant’s expansion plans, the claimant was persuaded to accept 50% payment in advance of delivery and 50% within 90 days of delivery. In practice, this arrangement enabled the defendant to obtain twice the value of cargo that it actually paid for. The defendant took extensive advantage of the deferred payment terms and a substantial debt quickly developed. The defendant admitted that sums were due, and promised to make repayments but only a few were ever made.
The claimant eventually issued debt recovery proceedings. After putting in a defence to the claim, the defendant played no further part in the case and failed to respond to any correspondence. In the circumstances, the court found the amount of the debt proved and entered judgment in favour of the claimant for $5,296,232, including interest.
Comment: In a rapidly changing economic climate, one thing that will always have a negative effect on businesses is when a client, customer or contractor fails to pay for goods or a service. We have an experienced team to provide a low cost, reliable and effective debt collection solution.
If you would like further information please contact Rob Kelly.
This article provides information and comments on legal issues and developments of interest. The contents of this article do not constitute legal advice, is not a comprehensive treatment of the subject matter covered, and should not be relied on as such. Legal advice should be sought about your specific circumstances before taking any action with respect to the matters discussed.
Rob Kelly
Senior Associate Solicitor — Dispute Resolution
Direct dial: 01202 377871
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Rob practices in two main, complimentary areas of work – contentious wills, probate and trust disputes, and property disputes.
Contentious wills, probate and trusts
More than half of Rob’s time is spent dealing with the contentious aspects of wills, probate and trusts, an area in which he has practiced continuously for over 20 years. He advises and acts in disputes relating to wills and inheritance, trusts, the duties of trustees and personal representatives, and the administration of estate.
Rob’s practice embraces:
- Personal representative and trustee disputes (including personal representative and trustee disagreements, removals / substitutions and alleged misconduct)
- Disappointed beneficiary claims
- Will disputes (where the validity of a will is challenged on the grounds of undue influence, lack of testamentary capacity, lack of knowledge and approval of the contents of a will, and fraudulent calumny)
- Financial provision claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975
- Proprietary estoppel claims
- Disputes about the proper construction, and rectification, of wills
- Caveats
- Professional liability claims arising from the preparation of wills and trusts and the administration of estates
He has mediated (either as appointed mediator or as a representative) dozens of disputes involving contentious wills and probate issues.
Property disputes
The other side of Rob’s practice is contentious property work. This embraces:
- Residential and commercial landlord and tenant disputes
- Disrepairs
- Repairing covenants
- Possession claims
- Lease termination and lease forfeiture
- Dilapidations
- Service charge disputes
- Interpretation and enforcement of leasehold covenants
Rob’s style is a mix of listening, asking (tough) questions, diplomacy and reality testing. He’s interested, flexible, and pragmatic. He offers a common sense, realistic approach to assist his clients in searching for solutions to their disputes and brings straight talking and integrity to his work.
Rob is a Solicitor. He successfully completed training as a mediator under the ADR Chambers / Harvard Law Project Scheme in June 2006 and is a member of the Civil Mediation Council.
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