Verbal agreement to contribute to holiday

[emkana]

When my daughter was with her boyfriend we said he could come on holiday with us. He verbally agreed to contribute a percentage of the cost, and the full amount in case of separation.
He has now split up with her but is not willing to pay. Is there any legal
obligation on him?

Don’t think so. It’s ashame but I don’t believe there is much you can do about it.

Do you have his agreement written anywhere at all, even texts? Is his name on a flight booking etc?

it would be virtually impossible to prove. can your DD ask an actual friend to come along instead?

something to chalk up to experience I suspect - if similar circumstances arise, get a hefty deposit before paying out for anything.

Yes there is a booking in his name.
Unfortunately no texts etc

The booking is non-transferable so can't take someone else instead

I don't think you're going to get anywhere with this with nothing in writing to back it up.

I thought verbal agreements also matter?

Verbal agreement will be his word against yours so unless he agrees that was said you can’t prove anything

But how would you prove it? It’s your word against his

How old is he?
You should have got his contribution up front before paying for him.

He's 19

Does your daughter want him on the holiday?

Verbal contracts are binding for this kind of thing, the issue will be proving what was said.

In your shoes I’d get something in writing - so eg text him saying you’re really disappointed he’s refusing to pay, remind me of exactly what he agreed, ask him to please honour his word.

If he replies admitting that he said that but has changed his mind, then you have evidence.

It’s easy to go through the small claims court (you won’t need a lawyer) but if it’s just your word against his then you’re not in a very strong position. Much better to get some evidence

@ itsallthedramaMickiloveit - um I’m guessing not since he has dumped her?

He passed the task of dealing with it to his mother and I put it to her in written exchanges that this verbal agreement was made. She has not contradicted this.

Well that’s some evidence although not great.

Do you have witnesses to the agreement?

His Mum will not know what he did and didn’t agree to in a conversation that took place when she wasn’t present.

You have no evidence so it would be down to him whether he chooses to pay or not. It’s your word against his.

What is the amount he owes?

£1400

Is it worth trying to go through small claims at all?

What percentage if the cost does that represent?

There's actually another part to this - there is the holiday and then separately a flight we booked for him, for a different trip. We have agreement from them to pay for this trip. Is that not some admission of obligation?

@PurpleDaisies 17.5 %

Are you sure it is not transferrable, even in part? Flights can be cancelled and the tax refunded as a minimum.

You can go to small claims. You May find they pay up once they realise you’re serious about going to court anyway.

You’ll have a better case with written acknowledgement from him though.