Legal Question in Consumer Law in Oregon

Re: Restaurant reservations

I'd need to see what arrangements you made with the restraurant. Did you have a contract, or a series of written communications? Did you promise to show up and promise to pay in the event that you did not show up?

If not, then I'd venture that the bill is a fishing expedition and not enforceable.

Don't throw out your written records of this incident just yet, though. If he were to file suit it would be useful to have copies of whatever written communications you had with the restaurant.

If you had gone there as planned and then not paid, clearly you would owe for the food eaten by your group. But in your facts, that didn't happen - rather, you made a reservation (a promise to do something in the future) and then didn't make good on the promise.

The real issue is what is the duty of a person making a reservation? If there is a duty you could be found liable for breaching the promise if that caused the restaurant damages.

But that's quite a stretch.

Hope this helps. Mr. Nance has enough time on his hands to answer questions in places he's not licensed. His answers are reasonably good, though.

Elizabeth Powell

Re: Restaurant reservations

Refer to your written contract. If you don't have one, consult with an OR attorney. We can give you a free referral if you wish.