The 2011 EU Directive on “combating late payment in commercial transactions” is the EU’s second attempt at solving the perceived problem of late payment in the EU. It is intended to reduce economic loss to suppliers, particularly SMEs. It was implemented in the UK by the Late Payment of Commercial Debts Regulations 2013 and applies to contracts made on or after 16th March 2013. The main effect … Continue reading
The question whether English law does, or should, recognise an implied duty to perform contracts in good faith has been much debated. In a recent High Court case*, the Judge held that the answer is still no, but that performance of obligations under a commercial contract could be deemed subject to a requirement of good faith where that is necessary, in the context of the particular … Continue reading
The Drinks Business reports that Australian lobbying groups have called for wine, beer and spirits to carry graphic, cigarette-style, health warnings on a mandatory basis, in place of the current voluntary system. WFA says it will make the Aussie wine industry “an international laughing stock”. But is it merely the thin end of the wedge? Is plain packaging for alcohol waiting in the wings?
The European Commission has updated its online Register of Health and Nutrition Claims, which catalogues applications for permission to say that a particular food or ingredient, is beneficial to health or nutrition – such as “low fat”, “high fibre” or “reduces blood cholesterol”. No such claims at all, sadly, are currently allowed in relation to wine. Two wine-related applications are recorded, both concerning the allegedly beneficial … Continue reading
Representatives of European wine-producing countries are heartily congratulating themselves on having persuaded Brazil to drop proposals to safeguard its domestic wine industry from foreign imports, which were seen as a tad protectionist. In return for its wine producers withdrawing their demands, the Brazilian Government has agreed a comprehensive and ambitious plan with them to boost the country’s wine industry. It includes a commitment to increase per … Continue reading
The Australian Tobacco Plain Packaging Act 2011 imposes significant restrictions upon the colour, shape and finish of retail packaging for tobacco products, and prohibits the use of trade marks other than to a limited extent. Brand names must appear in a standard size, font and location. Embellishments on cigarette packs and cartons are not allowed. Packs and cartons must be rectangular, have only a matt finish, … Continue reading
Fearing the impact that Scottish, and possibly UK-wide, proposals for minimum alcohol pricing could have on their exports, Bulgarian wine producers have persuaded their government to lodge objections with the European Commission. This has resulted in the consultation period being extended until the end of the year. Other countries that export substantial quantities of alcohol to the UK may well follow suit. This recent money.co.uk article … Continue reading
Reading this recent Decanter item – South Africa complaining that increased bulk shipping of wine is damaging its packaging industry – it struck me as fairly ludicrous to suggest that the response should be to embark on a trade war. I’m not sure where they got that headline from anyway – if you read the article, all the SA Government spokesperson says is why not look … Continue reading
It happened when Oddbins went under in 2011, and now it has happened again with the recent collapse of D&D Wines International into administration, leaving unsecured creditors, mostly for wine supplied, exceeding £10m. Prospects of any significant recovery look slim, albeit that Liquidators have now been appointed to investigate how a company could go from a balance sheet of £2.2m (including cash of £3.8m) at the end of … Continue reading
We have in the past pointed out the grave risks that wine producers run if they allow their UK agents to collect customer payments on their behalf. Current economic conditions make it harder to get credit insurance on a distributor’s debts. That is increasingly pushing business done with the larger UK retailers via distributors in the direction of the agency model. But the retailers are very keen to consolidate … Continue reading