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Claim of refund and compensation from online events supplier for breach

Hello,

We hosted a digital online event with a supplier and paid 50% advance and provided them with an invoice-based PO for their services.

During the event, their hardware crashed and their CEO requested us to cancel the event and postpone it after 2 weeks.

With no options during the event and disappointing used experience throughout the event, we had no choice but to take their recommendation.

We canceled the original event and rescheduled for the new date they proposed. During the NEW date event, only 300 people participated instead of the 1800 registrations.

Can we request a refund and cancel our PO based on the fact that less than 20% of the users showed up after their first experience?

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Abdelaziz Al Zaabi Advocates & Legal Consultants
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18 Oct 2021, 10:53

Dear Questioner,

The supplier is liable for the hardware crash, so kindly check the terms and conditions of the agreement between you and the supplier or the PO if it is including the terms and conditions, if not, the law is will be followed.

You can cancel the event and ask for compensation from the supplier plus asking for a refund of your money.

For more information please contact us on our phone.

19 Oct 2021, 07:48

Thank you, brother Abdelaziz.

Unfortunately, there are no signed T&C's and the PO is just a simple invoice type PO with a PO heading without any terms. It took 4 months to organize this 'virtual' event.

Due to the hardware/software problems with the supplier's system and their persistence, we had the cancel the event within one hour of the live event as all users were having problems.

The supplier insisted we reschedule, and based on their insistence, we rescheduled.

However, the damage was done since only 300 people out of 1800 registered showed up on the rescheduled event and they had problems.

So considering there are no predefined terms signed, what is the law in Dubai for such cases?

The supplier is not taking responsibility for the extremely low turnout the second time due to the user experience for the first time.

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Dr. Mohamed Alhammadi Advocates and Legal Consultants
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20 Oct 2021, 15:52

Dear,

As per your question and your comments, please note that the actual relationship between you and the supplier is considered a contract containing rights and obligations for both parties.

In light of the above, you did fulfill your obligation and paid the advanced payment.

In return, the supplier did not fulfill his obligation because it is his responsibility to take care of his machines and such a mistake should not happen.

This means you have the right to not pay the remaining amount and ask him for compensation as well.

Thanks,

Ahmed

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