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A tire manufacturer entered into a contract with a distributor. In the contract, the distributor is prohibited from selling the tire under the price list. The distributor must pay $5 for each tire sold in breach. The amount of $5 is known as...?
This scenario is in fact based on a famous case law: Dunlop Pneumatic Tyre Company v New Garage & Motor co [1915] AC 79. In this case law, the House of Lords identified the clause as liquidated damages, and therefore enforceable.
However, if this case had happened in 2015 or afterwards, there would be some legal issues:
- The price agreement is prohibited by Competition Act 1998
- If the agreement is allowed by Competition Act, as in the case Cavendish Square Holding BV (Appellant) v Talal El Makdessi (Respondent), the clause can also be identified as a penalty and it is still enforceable.
LO 3, AC 3.2