普法时刻 | 合同履行中因第三人原因造成的违约责任——李某诉甲公司、乙公司买卖合同纠纷案

Core Viewpoint - The case revolves around a dispute between the plaintiff, Li, and the defendant, Company A, regarding the supply of sand and gravel, where the plaintiff claims unpaid dues while the defendant contests the quality and pricing of the supplied materials [1][2]. Summary by Sections Basic Case Facts - On February 19, 2023, Company A signed a procurement contract with Company B for the supply of sand and gravel [1]. - On March 12, 2023, Li reached a verbal agreement with Company A to supply sand and gravel at a price of 85 yuan per ton, with a total supply of 790.34 tons, amounting to 67,178.9 yuan in unpaid dues after Company A failed to make payment [1]. Defendant's Argument - Company A disputes the claim, stating the agreed price was 83 yuan per ton, not 85 yuan, and that the supplied materials did not meet the specifications required by Company B [2]. - Company B imposed a penalty of 40,000 yuan on Company A for using the non-compliant materials, which were settled at 69 yuan per ton, leading to further complications in the payment process [2]. Judgment Outcome - The court determined that Li's failure to supply the agreed-upon materials was linked to Company A's incurred losses, which included a penalty due to the use of non-compliant materials [3][4]. - The court ruled that Company A must pay Li 45,598.22 yuan for the materials supplied, while rejecting Li's other claims [4]. - Li's appeal to the higher court upheld the original ruling, confirming the decision made by the lower court [4]. Legal Significance - The case highlights the legal principle that a party may bear liability for breach of contract due to the actions of a third party, emphasizing that breach of contract responsibilities exist solely between the contracting parties [4].