The court yesterday ordered a couple to pay Lm932 to a seamstress after they failed to pay her in full for her services.

The seamstress, Josianne Borg filed a case against Joseph Grech and Miriam Grech Bonett claiming they did not pay her for the expenses incurred on curtains, rails and other materials between 14 January 1997 and 2 February 1997.

The court, presided over by Magistrate Michael Mallia, heard how the couple refused to pay Mrs Borg the Lm932 they owed her as they claimed the price was excessive and that the work was not done well.

Mrs Borg and Mrs Grech Bonett had agreed on a price for Mrs Borg to make curtains for the house and the seamstress showed the couple several photos and they agreed to buy the material together. However, the shop did not have the material Mrs Grech Bonett wanted and she agreed with Mrs Borg on a different type of material. Her husband was not present at the shop but had agreed that Mrs Borg was to be paid Lm100.

The court heard how Mrs Borg started sewing the curtains and showed some of her work to the couple.

Furthermore, Mr Grech had said that he was happy with her work and had paid her a second instalment of Lm528. However, the court heard, problems arose when Mrs Borg went to the couple’s residence to hang the curtains.

A court-appointed expert examined Mrs Borg’s work and said that she could not find any defect in her work.

Magistrate Mallia pointed out that when a customer is unsatisfied with a product, they cannot keep the item without paying for it in full.

In handing down his judgement, Magistrate Mallia noted that although Mrs Borg kept part of the work, the couple still kept the bulk of the curtains and therefore was obliged to pay in full for her work. The court ordered Mr Grech and Mrs Grech Bonett to pay Mrs Borg a total of Lm932 and the expenses incurred by the court for the appointment of a court expert.