If a buyer pays a deposit (in cash) for a business contract and wouldn't sign the contract, then disappears without a contact, and four months later comes back demanding refund of the deposit, can the seller keep the deposit under contract law as compensation for training provided (two months worth), legal costs for contract and as a liquidation debt?
The seller held business for up to 6 months for buyer while they worked in business as trial and attempted to get finance. The contract was not subject to finance. The buyer was provided financial figures and the seller communicated these direct to buyer's accountant and bank manger. The buyer is now emailing the seller and bullying her, and making accusations that the deposit was not for contract as they didn't sign it, and that they lent it to her as a favour (they never had a conversation about this, considering the MYOB receipt provided stated the money was as deposit as per contract of sale).
The seller held business for up to 6 months for buyer while they worked in business as trial and attempted to get finance. The contract was not subject to finance. The buyer was provided financial figures and the seller communicated these direct to buyer's accountant and bank manger. The buyer is now emailing the seller and bullying her, and making accusations that the deposit was not for contract as they didn't sign it, and that they lent it to her as a favour (they never had a conversation about this, considering the MYOB receipt provided stated the money was as deposit as per contract of sale).