Being sued for breach of contract - legal advice needed

jenza8

My father-in-law has been trying to sell a car worth £300000. He initially used a friend who is also a dealer in these types of car to act as the seller. His friend introduced him to a man he knew who made an offer of the full asking price which my father in law accepted. The man then decided that he did not want to pay that much and so he reduced his offer to £280000. This was accepted but no deposit was paid and nothing was put in writing.
The man tried to arrange to collect the car before the money had been paid which my father-in-law rejected. The man then delayed making payment for the car and said that he was going to have to buy it with someone else as he couldn't raise all the funds himself. This continued for a month with no payment being made.
As my father-in-law needed the money, he spoke to his friend, the dealer and said he was going to have to find another buyer. The dealer did not relay this information to the man who had made the offer but hadn't paid. The dealer then introduced another potential buyer who came to view but did not purchase. My father-in-law then found another prospective buyer who came, paid a deposit and arranged for transfer of the money there and then.
The original prospective buyer has now said that he is going to sue for breach of contract. He has been threatening saying that he will make his life a misery; that he will take him for everything that he has got and that he is not joking.
We have reason to believe that this man has done similar to this in the past. He claims that he can sue for breach of contract and for unlimited damages.
I find it hard to see how he would be entitled to anything as the verbal agreement to accept the offer had not been made legally binding as no money had changed hands. This man has not lost any money whatsoever at this point.
My father-in-law is beside himself. He needed the money from the car to buy a house and now he has the threat of being taken for everything he has hanging over him.
Can anyone offer any advice?
Thank you

DUTR

What is there to say until if you get such a charge levied?

jenza8

I was hoping that someone would be able to say whether this man actually has a legal case.

m0bov

I think I'd laugh it off as he has'nt paid a deposit and sounds like a time waster.

Moto2

With those sort of numbers, I suspect I'd ask an expert rather than a bunch of keyboard warriors.
You need proper legal advice.

m0bov

How can he sue for damages?? What damages??? What contract? The seller does'nt HAVE to sell the goods.

littlerock

I am not a lawyer but I had a similar issue when selling a much smaller car for my son a few years back. The first potential buyer kept us hanging on until we decided he was a time waster and told him so.Then we sold it to someone else. I would say this guy has no chance why not talk to a solicitor and get them to send him a letter telling him there was no contract and no money changed hands so as far as you are concerned he has no case.

jenza8

Punitive or exemplary damages to punish him for not selling!

AdrianC

If we're really talking about a three hundred grand car, not just a mis-typing of the number of zeroes, then DEFINITELY get proper paid-for legal advice.

daveyjp

Do nothing until the Court papers arrive.

Let us know when they do.

arcon5

What contract? You couldn't agree terms of a contract so walked away from a prospective deal.