Unpaid Peach Purchase Debt: Court Orders Payment of 136.3 Yuan

A Chinese court has ordered a fruit buyer to pay a farmer 136.3 yuan for a peach sale that took place in 2011, resolving a long-standing dispute over unpaid produce.

In this case, the plaintiff, Mr. Li, a farmer from a certain village in Hebei Province, filed a lawsuit against the defendant, Mr. Zhang, a local peach buyer. The dispute centered on a transaction that occurred during the 2011 peach harvest season. Mr. Li claimed that Mr. Zhang had broadcast announcements over the village loudspeaker, inviting residents to deliver their peaches to him for purchase. On July 13, 2011, Mr. Li delivered his peaches to Mr. Zhang, who issued a receipt acknowledging the delivery. The receipt showed the total amount due was 136.3 yuan.

Despite repeated requests for payment, Mr. Zhang failed to remit the owed amount. Mr. Li then initiated legal proceedings in December 2012, seeking an order compelling Mr. Zhang to pay the outstanding sum.

The trial proceeded under a simplified procedure before a single judge. Mr. Li was represented by two legal agents, Mr. Gao and another Mr. Gao, who attended the hearing. Mr. Zhang, however, did not appear in court despite being properly served with notice. He also did not submit any written defense or evidence.

During the trial, Mr. Li presented two key pieces of evidence. The first was the original receipt issued by Mr. Zhang, which documented the peach delivery and the agreed price. The second was a certificate from the village committee, confirming that Mr. Zhang had indeed used the village broadcast system to call for peach deliveries during the relevant season. The court found that these two documents corroborated each other and provided sufficient proof of the transaction and the debt.

Based on this evidence, the court established the following facts. In 2011, during the peach harvest, Mr. Zhang used the village broadcast system to solicit peach deliveries from local farmers. Mr. Li responded to this call and delivered his peaches to Mr. Zhang on July 13, 2011. Mr. Zhang issued a receipt acknowledging the delivery, with a total value of 136.3 yuan. Despite multiple demands, Mr. Zhang never paid this amount.

The court then conducted a legal analysis of the case. It held that the act of Mr. Li delivering peaches to Mr. Zhang and Mr. Zhang issuing a receipt created a valid sales contract between the two parties. Under this contract, Mr. Zhang had an obligation to pay for the goods he received. His failure to do so constituted a breach of contract. The court cited relevant provisions of the Contract Law of the People’s Republic of China, specifically Articles 6, 8, 60, and 159, which govern the formation, validity, and performance of contracts, as well as the buyer’s duty to pay the price.

The court concluded that Mr. Li’s claim was legally sound and should be supported. It ordered Mr. Zhang to pay the full amount of 136.3 yuan within three days of the judgment taking effect. Additionally, the court stipulated that if Mr. Zhang failed to pay within the specified period, he would be liable for double the interest on the debt for the period of delay, as provided under Article 229 of the Civil Procedure Law of the People’s Republic of China. The court also ordered Mr. Zhang to bear the litigation costs of 25 yuan.

This case highlights the importance of documenting agricultural transactions, even small ones. The receipt served as critical evidence in establishing the existence and terms of the contract. It also demonstrates that Chinese courts are willing to enforce payment obligations in small-value disputes, provided that the plaintiff can present clear and credible evidence.

The judgment was issued by the People’s Court of a certain city in Hebei Province on March 14, 2012. The judge was Ms. Shang Qingru, and the court clerk was Mr. Yin Hongtao.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws and regulations may vary by jurisdiction. Readers should consult a qualified legal professional for advice specific to their situation.