Peach Sale Debt Judgment – CNY 7,694.55
A court in Central China has ruled in favor of two peach farmers who sold their harvest to a local buyer but never received payment. The dispute arose after the defendant, a village resident, used the public broadcast system to call for peach deliveries in 2011. The plaintiffs delivered peaches on multiple occasions, obtaining handwritten receipts each time, but the total amount of CNY 7,694.55 remained unpaid despite repeated demands. The court, after reviewing the evidence, ordered the defendant to pay the full sum plus legal costs.
The plaintiffs, a father and his son both surnamed Wang, are farmers from a village in Central China. During the 2011 peach season, the defendant, Mr. Zhang, advertised via the village broadcast station that residents should bring their peaches to him. Over several deliveries, Mr. Zhang issued ten separate handwritten receipts to the plaintiffs, confirming receipt of specific quantities of fresh peaches. The total value of the peaches delivered amounted to CNY 7,694.55. The plaintiffs made multiple requests for payment over the following months, but Mr. Zhang did not pay.
At the court hearing, the plaintiffs presented two key pieces of evidence. The first was the set of ten receipts signed by Mr. Zhang, each documenting the date and amount of peaches received. 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 2011 harvest season. The defendant failed to attend the hearing or submit any response, despite being properly notified by the court. The judge reviewed the evidence and accepted its authenticity and relevance.
The court found that the plaintiffs had proven their case through consistent and mutually corroborating documentary evidence. The receipts and the village committee certificate together established that a sales contract had been formed between the parties. The defendant accepted the peaches but did not pay the agreed price. The court held that the defendant’s failure to pay constituted a breach of contract. Since the defendant did not appear or provide any defense, the court proceeded based on the available evidence.
According to relevant law, particularly the Contract Law of the People’s Republic of China, a legally formed contract must be performed in good faith. The court applied Articles 6, 8, 60, and 159, which require parties to honor their obligations and pay the price for goods received. The court reasoned that the plaintiffs had fulfilled their duty by delivering the peaches, and the defendant was obligated to pay. The delay in payment gave the plaintiffs the right to seek judicial enforcement. The court also imposed a penalty for delayed payment at twice the standard interest rate under the Civil Procedure Law.
This case illustrates how simple sales transactions, even those conducted informally in a rural setting, can give rise to enforceable legal obligations. The key lesson is that written receipts and supporting documents such as a village committee certificate can serve as sufficient evidence to prove a contract exists. The court’s decision reinforces the principle that buyers must pay for goods they accept. For sellers, keeping accurate records of each delivery is essential. In this instance, the plaintiffs recovered the full amount owed, plus court costs, demonstrating that legal remedies are available even when the buyer refuses to respond.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.