Securing Payment in a High-Stakes Livestock Dispute

Background

Our client, a family-run farm, had been supplying pigs to a customer who reared them for resale as food. However, despite our client fulfilling their side of the contract, the customer refused to pay, citing allegations that the pigs were diseased when they arrived and had subsequently infected other livestock on their holding. The outstanding sum ran into the hundreds of thousands of pounds, putting significant financial pressure on the farm.

Approach

Understanding the complexities of the pig industry was key to building a strong case. We worked closely with our client to establish that the pigs were healthy when they left the farm and that any later illness was due to the customer’s own livestock management. Navigating court procedures with precision, we ensured deadlines were met and kept our client reassured throughout, particularly as the opposing legal team failed to comply with key requirements. We also appointed an expert witness to provide an impartial assessment of the situation.

Outcome

The joint expert report confirmed that the pigs were not diseased when they left our client’s farm, significantly strengthening their position. Faced with the weight of evidence, the customer chose to settle before trial, paying the full outstanding sum plus all legal costs. This was a critical victory for our client, protecting their livelihood and avoiding potentially devastating financial consequences.

Testimonial

“We are a family farm and had to fight a very difficult case regarding a breach of contract. Toby and the team at Jacksons fought the case for us and brought it to a successful and satisfactory conclusion. The whole experience was distressing, but Toby remained calm and efficient throughout. His team was always helpful and kind during such a difficult time. We would recommend them to anyone dealing with legal challenges of this nature.”