Photo Credit: Getty Images
A New Zealand woman took her boyfriend to the Disputes Tribunal after he failed to take her to the airport, causing her to miss her flight and a concert. The couple, who had been in a relationship for over six years, had a verbal agreement where he was supposed to drive her to the airport and look after her dogs while she was away.
The woman confirmed the arrangement the day before her flight, but on the day of travel, her boyfriend did not show up. Consequently, she missed her flight, had to buy another plane ticket, use a shuttle service to the airport, and put her dogs in a kennel.
The woman sought compensation for these expenses from the Disputes Tribunal, which handles small claims up to NZ$30,000. Tribunal documents revealed that the boyfriend had agreed to take her to the airport and care for her dogs. However, on the day of the flight, he failed to fulfill his promise.
Tribunal referee Krysia Cowie stated, "Partners, friends and colleagues make social arrangements, but it is unlikely they can be legally enforced unless the parties perform some act that demonstrates an intention that they will be bound by their promises." Adding that while a promise was made, it did not constitute a legally binding contract.
The tribunal examined whether the boyfriend's promise constituted a binding contract. It concluded that social arrangements within intimate relationships typically do not meet the criteria for legal enforcement. "Although a promise was made, it falls short of being a contract," Ms. Cowie explained.
The case was dismissed as the tribunal found the agreement to be part of a typical domestic relationship. Ms. Cowie noted, "When friends fail to keep their promises, the other person may suffer a financial consequence but it may be that they cannot be compensated for that loss."
The ruling was issued in March but only published recently. The woman’s claim for her additional expenses was dismissed, and the couple has since broken up.
