Pig Feed Seller Recovers CNY 40,000 in Unpaid Debt Case
In this case, a dispute arose between a pig feed seller and a farmer over unpaid feed purchases. The seller claimed that the farmer owed CNY 40,000 for feed delivered over several months. The farmer admitted the debt but argued that financial hardship prevented immediate payment. The court examined the evidence and ruled in favor of the seller, ordering full payment of the outstanding amount plus legal costs.
The plaintiff, Mr. Zhang, operated a feed supply store in Eastern China City. The defendant, Ms. Chi, was an individual pig farmer. Between November 13, 2010, and June 23, 2011, Ms. Chi purchased 226 bags of pig feed from Mr. Zhang across 11 separate transactions. The total amount owed for these purchases was CNY 47,360. On March 4, 2012, Ms. Chi made a partial payment of CNY 7,360 and signed a written IOU acknowledging the remaining balance of CNY 40,000. After Ms. Chi failed to pay the remainder, Mr. Zhang filed a lawsuit demanding immediate payment of the full CNY 40,000.
During the court hearing, Mr. Zhang presented the IOU signed by Ms. Chi on March 4, 2012, as the key piece of evidence. The document clearly stated the outstanding debt of CNY 40,000. Ms. Chi reviewed the IOU during the hearing and confirmed its authenticity, legality, and relevance without any objection. The court reviewed the document independently and ruled it admissible, finding it to be authentic, legally valid, and directly related to the case. Ms. Chi did not submit any evidence of her own to support her defense of financial inability.
The court held that a valid sales contract existed between Mr. Zhang and Ms. Chi. Ms. Chi admitted both the existence of the debt and the correct amount owed. She also acknowledged her obligation to pay but argued only that she lacked the funds to do so at that time. The court found that a mere claim of temporary financial difficulty does not constitute a valid legal defense against a proven debt. Since Ms. Chi failed to provide any supporting evidence for her inability to pay, the court rejected this argument.
According to relevant law under the Chinese Contract Law, specifically Articles 130, 159, and 161, a seller delivers goods and the buyer pays the agreed price. The buyer must pay the price at the time and place specified in the contract. In this case, the evidence showed that Mr. Zhang had delivered the feed as requested, and Ms. Chi had acknowledged the debt in writing. The court reasoned that the obligation to pay arose upon delivery, and no further contractual condition remained unfulfilled. The IOU constituted clear proof of the debt, and the defendant’s admission removed any factual dispute.
This case underscores the importance of maintaining clear written records of debt in commercial transactions. The court enforced the payment obligation despite the defendant’s claim of financial hardship, reinforcing the principle that inability to pay does not extinguish a debt. The judgment also ordered Ms. Chi to pay the court fees of CNY 800 and noted that failure to comply within the specified period would result in double interest under the Civil Procedure Law. For parties engaged in similar supply arrangements, a properly signed IOU or written contract remains the strongest protection in court.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.