We provided legal assistance and represented a Latvian client in a dispute with a buyer of their goods from Guinea and a shipowner from Denmark in respect of goods that were shipped by our client to a country in west Africa.

Essence of the dispute

Our client had shipped the goods to a port in west Africa. When the vessel reached the coast, the buyer refused to accept the goods and raised several objections regarding the quantity and price of the goods. During the negotiations with the buyer, the vessel was not allowed to enter the port. For this reason, the shipowner demanded compensation from the client for losses because of demurrage.

The UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG) was applicable to the dispute regarding the quantity and price for the goods, but the client’s relations with the shipowner were subject to a charter agreement under English law.

Our involvement

The client was advised by partner Valts Nerets and associate Elvis Grinbergs.