Man files lawsuit against his girlfriend for failing to get him to the airport on time
A young woman from New Zealand found herself in a predicament when a verbal contract with her boyfriend was not honoured, leading to a dispute that was presented before the Disputes Tribunal. The woman, who incurred costs for adding another day to travel, organising a shuttle to the airport, and putting her dogs in a kennel, testified in front of the tribunal in an attempt to get reimbursed for these costs.
However, the claim was dismissed by the tribunal referee, Krysia Cowie. Cowie argued that the promises made by the woman's boyfriend were "exchanged as a normal give and take in an intimate relationship." She further stated that for an agreement to be enforceable, there needed to be an intention to create a "legally binding relationship."
In this case, there was "nothing that indicated an intention between the parties" for the woman's boyfriend to be bound by his promises. As a result, the promise made between the woman and her boyfriend falls short of being a contract and is not enforceable in the Disputes Tribunal.
It's important to note that verbal contracts can be legally binding in certain contexts, but they are not typically enforceable in intimate relationships. This is particularly true in New Zealand, where the Disputes Tribunal primarily deals with disputes related to goods and services, employment, and other consumer issues, rather than personal relationships.
For disputes within intimate relationships, other legal avenues might be more appropriate, such as family law courts. These courts can handle matters related to property division, child custody, and similar issues, but they typically do not enforce verbal contracts in the way commercial contracts are handled.
The couple has parted ways since the incident and subsequent legal dispute. The former boyfriend did not attend the tribunal hearing and did not answer a follow-up call from the tribunal referee.
This case serves as a reminder that in intimate relationships, it's crucial to have clear and written agreements to avoid such disputes. If there are no written agreements, resolving disputes may involve more subjective and evidentiary challenges. For specific legal advice, consulting with a lawyer familiar with New Zealand's legal system is advisable.
This article was published by The Guardian.
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