Peach Dispute: Court Orders Payment of CNY 182
A court in Central China City has ordered a peach buyer to pay a farmer CNY 182 for fresh peaches delivered in 2011. The plaintiff, Mr. Zhu, a village farmer, claimed that the defendant, Mr. Zhang, who operated a local peach collection point, had taken his peaches but never paid the agreed amount. After two written receipts were presented as evidence, the court ruled in favor of the farmer, finding that a valid sales contract existed and that the buyer had defaulted on his payment obligation.
The case arose during the 2011 peach harvest season in Dasi Village, Central China City. According to the plaintiff, the defendant used the village broadcast system to call on residents to deliver their peaches to his collection point. Mr. Zhu delivered his peaches in two separate lots, totaling CNY 182. On each occasion, Mr. Zhang issued a handwritten receipt to the farmer. Despite repeated demands for payment over the following months, the defendant never paid the amount due. The plaintiff therefore initiated legal proceedings to recover the debt.
During the court hearing, the plaintiff’s legal representatives, Mr. Gao and Mr. Gao, presented two key pieces of evidence. The first was the pair of receipts issued by the defendant, which clearly recorded the delivery of fresh peaches and the amount owed. The second was a certificate from the Dasi Village Committee, confirming that the defendant had indeed broadcasted announcements urging villagers to bring their peaches to his collection point during the harvest season. The defendant failed to appear in court and did not submit any evidence or written defense.
The court examined the evidence and found it credible and mutually corroborative. The two receipts matched each other, and the village committee certificate supported the plaintiff’s account of how the transaction occurred. The court therefore admitted the evidence and established the following factual basis: Mr. Zhu had delivered peaches to Mr. Zhang on two occasions in 2011, and Mr. Zhang had issued receipts acknowledging receipt of the goods and an outstanding payment of CNY 182. Despite the plaintiff’s repeated requests, the defendant had never paid the sum.
In its legal analysis, the court held that the delivery of peaches against the issuance of receipts constituted a legally binding sales contract under relevant contract law. The defendant, as the buyer, had a duty to pay the purchase price in a timely manner. By failing to do so, he had breached the contract. The court cited provisions concerning the performance of contractual obligations and the seller’s right to demand payment. It concluded that the plaintiff’s claim was well-founded and should be supported. The court ordered the defendant to pay the CNY 182 within three days from the date the judgment took effect, and also awarded litigation costs of CNY 25 against the defendant.
This case illustrates how even small-sum disputes over agricultural products can be resolved through the court system when clear written evidence exists. The receipts served as crucial proof of the transaction, and the village committee’s certificate helped establish the context of the sale. The defendant’s absence from the hearing did not prevent the court from reaching a decision. For farmers and small traders, this judgment reinforces the importance of obtaining written receipts and keeping records of all sales. It also demonstrates that courts will enforce basic contractual duties even in informal market settings.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.