GEORGINA COLEMAN vs. GRIMALDI LINES AND GRIMALDI COMPAGNIA DI NAVIGAZIONE SPA PER GRIMALDI (GHANA) LTD

JUDGMENT The Plaintiff’s claim against the Defendants in her Amended Statement of Claim was for the refund of £34,858.00 together with interest at the prevailing bank rate being the cost of assorted biscuits imported into Ghana.The Plaintiff also made a claim in general damages for breach of contract. It was her case that she contracted the Defendants, a shipping line to transport her goods from London to Accra. She asserted that since the goods being biscuits were perishable, the agreement was that the voyage would not exceed 14 days. The goods were accordingly shipped on 24th May 2011 to arrive in Ghana on 7th June 2011. The goods however arrived in Ghana on 16th August 2011 by which time some had expired and the rest were nearing expiry. The Plaintiff therefore claimed the value of the goods as well as general damages for breach of contract. The Defendants denied the claim saying that the Plaintiff entered into a contract of affreightment evidenced by a bill of lading which s...