Is it true you can only collect liquidated damages if there "actually" are financial effects and not just contract language?

J
John Reeves 👤 Member for 13 years 2 months

s it true you can only collect liquidated damages if there "actually" are financial effects and not just contract language?  -  I thought a contract is a contract, wouldn't matter if you financially needed by that date or not.

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Patrick Weaver 👤 Member for 25 years 6 months

Provided the liquidated damages (LDs) are a genuine pre-estimate of the losses incurred through late delivery the courts will generally apply the terms of the contract. There is no needs for a direct financial loss to actually be demonstrated, only there was a genuine process to determine the amount of LDs. 

This is presumed in most situations because both parties signed the contract! Demonstrating the LDs are an unreasonable penalty (and therefore unenforceable) is a high bar to cross. This is why LDs can be successfully applied on projects that cost their owners money to operate (eg, free libraries and churches).  see: https://mosaicprojects.com.au/PDF-Casewatch/1148_Liquidated_damages_in_construction_contracts.pdf 

For more on claims see: https://mosaicprojects.com.au/PMKI-ITC-020.php

Profile picture for Patrick Weaver
Patrick Weaver 👤 Member for 25 years 6 months

Provided the liquidated damages (LDs) are a genuine pre-estimate of the losses incurred through late delivery the courts will generally apply the terms of the contract. There is no needs for a direct financial loss to actually be demonstrated, only there was a genuine process to determine the amount of LDs. 

This is presumed in most situations because both parties signed the contract! Demonstrating the LDs are an unreasonable penalty (and therefore unenforceable) is a high bar to cross. This is why LDs can be successfully applied on projects that cost their owners money to operate (eg, free libraries and churches).  see: https://mosaicprojects.com.au/PDF-Casewatch/1148_Liquidated_damages_in_construction_contracts.pdf 

For more on claims see: https://mosaicprojects.com.au/PMKI-ITC-020.php

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