Peach Payment Dispute: Court Orders CNY 136.3 Repayment
A court in Eastern China City recently ruled in favor of a farmer who sued an unlicensed buyer for unpaid peach delivery. The plaintiff, Mr. Li, claimed that he delivered fresh peaches to the defendant, Mr. Zhang, in July 2011 but never received the agreed payment of 136.3 CNY. After multiple attempts to collect the debt, Mr. Li brought the case to court. The defendant did not attend the hearing or submit any defense. The court found in Mr. Li’s favor and ordered Mr. Zhang to pay the overdue amount plus legal costs.
The dispute arose during the 2011 peach season in a village in Eastern China City. Mr. Zhang used the village broadcast system to invite residents to deliver their peaches to him. On July 13, 2011, Mr. Li brought his peaches to Mr. Zhang’s location. Mr. Zhang issued a handwritten receipt acknowledging receipt of the peaches and confirming the total amount due was 136.3 CNY. Despite repeated requests over the following months, Mr. Zhang never paid. Mr. Li then filed a lawsuit seeking immediate repayment of the peach debt.
During the court hearing, Mr. Li presented two pieces of evidence. The first was the original receipt signed by Mr. Zhang, which clearly stated the amount of 136.3 CNY. The second was a certificate from the village committee confirming that Mr. Zhang had broadcast announcements on multiple occasions during the 2011 peach season, urging villagers to bring their peaches to him. Mr. Li’s legal representatives, Mr. Gao and Mr. Wen, attended the hearing on his behalf. Mr. Zhang, despite being properly notified by the court, did not appear and submitted no evidence or written response.
The court reviewed the evidence and found it credible and consistent. The receipt and the village committee certificate together established that Mr. Li delivered peaches to Mr. Zhang and that Mr. Zhang accepted them. The court held that a valid sales contract was formed between the parties under Chinese contract law. Because Mr. Zhang failed to pay for the delivered goods, he breached the contract. The court therefore ordered Mr. Zhang to pay the full amount of 136.3 CNY within three days of the judgment taking effect.
According to relevant law, including Articles 6, 8, 60, and 159 of the Contract Law, parties to a contract must act in good faith and perform their obligations. The court noted that the defendant’s failure to pay was unjustified. The judgment also warned that if Mr. Zhang delays payment beyond the specified period, he must pay double the interest on the overdue amount, as required by civil procedure rules. The court further ordered Mr. Zhang to bear the litigation costs of 25 CNY. The legal reasoning focused on the clear documentary evidence and the absence of any defense.
This case illustrates that even small disputes over agricultural produce can be resolved through the court system. The written receipt proved decisive in establishing the existence of a contract and the amount owed. Farmers and buyers should keep clear records of transactions, including receipts and any public announcements, to protect their rights. The court’s decision reinforces the principle that buyers must pay for goods they accept. Parties who ignore court proceedings risk being bound by default judgments. The case also highlights the importance of responding to legal claims, as the defendant’s absence did not prevent a ruling against him.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.