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'World without bar staff' drink dispenser firm has 'turned off tap' on distribution agreement, High Court told

Summary

The High Court heard an urgent application by US firm Drink Command America LLC, seeking an order compelling Irish company Drink Command Limited to mediate a dispute over the termination of a distribution agreement for self-serving drink dispensers. Counsel for the plaintiff alleged that the defendant unilaterally ended the agreement, which had been in operation since 2020, and failed to observe the contractual dispute resolution mechanism requiring mediation. The plaintiff claimed this breach caused irreparable damage and sought an order restraining the defendant from refusing its duties pending mediation. The court heard that the dispute stemmed from differences between Doirt Limited, a firm related to the plaintiff's owners, and the defendant's other Irish-based shareholders, Mr Donal Lynch and Mr Gary Clowry. These alleged differences involved funding, director appointments, IT access, and intellectual property retention. The plaintiff contended that the defendant's actions were aimed at improving the position of the Irish-based shareholders in negotiations. Mr Justice Mark Sanfey accepted the matter was urgent and granted the plaintiff permission, on an ex-parte basis, to serve short notice of its application on the defendant. However, the judge expressed concerns about making an order requiring one party to attend mediation. The matter was adjourned and will return before the court later this month.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'World without bar staff' drink dispenser firm has 'turned off tap' on distribution agreement, High Court told. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• 2024-03-13 Publication

Case subjects

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Stage Hearing Or Decision

Read the original CNI report