Louisiana Revised Statutes 10:5-111 – Remedies
Terms Used In Louisiana Revised Statutes 10:5-111
- Adviser: means a person who, at the request of the issuer, a confirmor, or another adviser, notifies, or requests another adviser to notify, the beneficiary that a letter of credit has been issued, confirmed, or amended. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 10:5-102
- Applicant: means a person at whose request or for whose account a letter of credit is issued. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 10:5-102
- Confirmor: means a nominated person who undertakes, at the request or with the consent of the issuer, to honor a presentation under a letter of credit issued by another. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 10:5-102
- Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
- Document: means a draft or other demand, document of title, investment security, certificate, invoice, or other record, statement, or representation of fact, law, right, or opinion (i) which is presented in a written or other medium permitted by the letter of credit, or unless prohibited by the letter of credit, by the standard practice referred to in La. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 10:5-102
- Issuer: means a financial institution or other person that issues a letter of credit, but does not include an individual who makes an engagement for personal, family, or household purposes. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 10:5-102
- Letter of credit: means a definite undertaking that satisfies the requirements of La. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 10:5-102
- Litigation: A case, controversy, or lawsuit. Participants (plaintiffs and defendants) in lawsuits are called litigants.
- Nominated person: means a person whom the issuer (i) designates or authorizes to pay, accept, negotiate, or otherwise give value under a letter of credit and (ii) undertakes by agreement or custom and practice to reimburse. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 10:5-102
- Obligation: An order placed, contract awarded, service received, or similar transaction during a given period that will require payments during the same or a future period.
- person: includes a body of persons, whether incorporated or not. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 1:10
- Presentation: means delivery of a document to an issuer or nominated person for honor or giving of value under a letter of credit. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 10:5-102
(a) If an issuer wrongfully dishonors or repudiates its obligation to pay money under a letter of credit before presentation, the beneficiary, successor, or nominated person presenting on its own behalf may recover from the issuer the amount that is the subject of the dishonor or repudiation. If the issuer’s obligation under the letter of credit is not for the payment of money, the claimant may obtain specific performance or, at the claimant’s election, recover an amount equal to the value of performance from the issuer. In either case, the claimant may also recover foreseeable damages for pecuniary loss but not unforeseeable damages, exemplary damages, or damages for nonpecuniary loss. The claimant is not obligated to take action to avoid damages that might be due from the issuer under this Subsection. If, although not obligated to do so, the claimant avoids damages, the claimant’s recovery from the issuer must be reduced by the amount of damages avoided. The issuer has the burden of proving the amount of damages avoided. In the case of repudiation the claimant need not present any document.
(b) If an issuer wrongfully dishonors a draft or demand presented under a letter of credit or honors a draft or demand in breach of its obligation to the applicant, the applicant may recover foreseeable damages for pecuniary loss resulting from the breach, but not unforeseeable damages, exemplary damages, or damages for nonpecuniary loss less any amount saved as a result of the breach.
(c) If an adviser or nominated person other than a confirmor breaches an obligation under this Chapter or an issuer breaches an obligation not covered in Subsection (a) or (b), a person to whom the obligation is owed may recover foreseeable damages for pecuniary loss resulting from the breach, but not unforeseeable damages, exemplary damages, or damages for nonpecuniary loss, less any amount saved as a result of the breach. To the extent of the confirmation, a confirmor has the liability of an issuer specified in this Subsection and Subsections (a) and (b).
(d) An issuer, nominated person, or adviser who is found liable under Subsection (a), (b), or (c) shall pay interest on the amount owed thereunder from the date of wrongful dishonor or other appropriate date.
(e) Reasonable attorney fees and other expenses of litigation must be awarded to the prevailing party in an action in which a remedy is sought under this Chapter.
(f) Damages that would otherwise be payable by a party for breach of an obligation under this Chapter may be stipulated by agreement or undertaking, unless the damages stipulated are so manifestly unreasonable as to be contrary to public policy.
Added by Acts 1974, No. 92, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1975. Acts 1989, No. 135, §4, eff. Jan. 1, 1990; Acts 1999, No. 171, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2000.