Thoresen & Co (Bangkok) Ltd v Fathom Marine Company Ltd & Ors

Thoresen & Co (Bangkok) Ltd v Fathom Marine Company Ltd & Ors

The words 'sub details' in Clause 10 have a recognised meaning in shipping and sale of ships transactions, indicating that no binding contract exists until all details are agreed. The context and exchanges between the parties confirm that the agreement was not intended to be binding until further details were settled.

Parties
Claimant: Thoresen & Co (Bangkok) Ltd; Defendant: Fathom Marine Company Ltd; Defendant: Brazilian Hope Shipping Company Ltd; Defendant: Yale Shipping Company Limited
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
09 February 2004
Procedural Posture
Commercial Contract Dispute / Judgment After Expedited Trial
Outcome
Claim dismissed
Legal Topics
Formation of Contract, Sale of Ships, Interpretation of 'subject to Details' Clauses

Case Brief

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Parties

Thoresen & Co (Bangkok) Ltd

Claimant

Fathom Marine Company Ltd

Defendant

Brazilian Hope Shipping Company Ltd

Defendant

Yale Shipping Company Limited

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Commercial Contract Dispute / Judgment After Expedited Trial

  1. 1 Whether a binding contract for the sale of vessels was concluded on 27 November 2003
  2. 2 Interpretation of 'sub details' in Clause 10 of the recap e-mail

Ratio Decidendi

The words 'sub details' in Clause 10 have a recognised meaning in shipping and sale of ships transactions, indicating that no binding contract exists until all details are agreed. The context and exchanges between the parties confirm that the agreement was not intended to be binding until further details were settled.

Court Disposition

Claim dismissed