Forced to cancel event - what cancellation charges are payable.

jimkenyon

Would be grateful for advice on the following:

I was organising an event. As part of the event I booked a band. The contract was verbal and there was no written agreement except an email acknowledgement by myself that I would like the band on a certain date. Unfortunately, I had to cancel the event, which was due to take place in 4 weeks time. What would be reasonable cancellation charges to pay the band? What could they legally expect?

Amistoso_2

jimkenyon wrote: »

Would be grateful for advice on the following:

I was organising an event. As part of the event I booked a band. The contract was verbal and there was no written agreement except an email acknowledgement by myself that I would like the band on a certain date. Unfortunately, I had to cancel the event, which was due to take place in 4 weeks time. What would be reasonable cancellation charges to pay the band? What could they legally expect?

Depends on what's in their terms and conditions really, how long ago did you book them? is there a timescale in which you can cancel with no charge? have you paid a deposit? 4 weeks isn't very long, perhaps they won't be able to fill that slot as it's such short notice and I'm assuming that as it's 4 weeks away this would be for a Christmas type do? most other people will have booked well in advance for bands at Christmas party's etc so the chances of them being booked now are probably slim.
I think if you've paid a deposit that at this point they would be entitled to keep that. As I said though it will be hard for anyone to help unless we have an idea of their T&C's?

Raksha

At work, our terms would be you'd loose your deposit. Cancel within 28 days - 30% cancellation charge, 14 days 50% and less than 7 days, full amount.

HTH

jimkenyon

Amistoso wrote: »

Depends on what's in their terms and conditions really, how long ago did you book them? is there a timescale in which you can cancel with no charge? have you paid a deposit? 4 weeks isn't very long, perhaps they won't be able to fill that slot as it's such short notice and I'm assuming that as it's 4 weeks away this would be for a Christmas type do? most other people will have booked well in advance for bands at Christmas party's etc so the chances of them being booked now are probably slim.
I think if you've paid a deposit that at this point they would be entitled to keep that. As I said though it will be hard for anyone to help unless we have an idea of their T&C's?

Thanks for the reply.

I was not given any terms and conditios and no deposit was paid. I think I have a moral obligation to pay something, but do I have a legal obligation?

pinkshoes

With no deposit and no contract, then legally I don't think you'd have to pay them anything, as the verbal contract no doubt was only along the lines of you'll pay them £x if they perform on <date>.

Morally, perhaps 10% of their fee would be acceptable.

How long ago did you book them?

jimkenyon

pinkshoes wrote: »

With no deposit and no contract, then legally I don't think you'd have to pay them anything, as the verbal contract no doubt was only along the lines of you'll pay them £x if they perform on <date>.

Morally, perhaps 10% of their fee would be acceptable.

How long ago did you book them?

I booked them last March.