Ahmad is an accountant. Martha, who owns and runs a travel agency is one of Ahmad’s clients. Martha pays Ahmad a fee of £1,000/month for his services, according to a contract they signed a few months ago. As a result of the COVID19 pandemic, many of Ahmad’s clients face financial difficulties, and some no longer need his services. Martha’s business is struggling, and she is thinking of ending the contract with Ahmad because she can no longer afford it. Worried about the loss of clients which he may not be able to gain back after the pandemic is over, Ahmad promises to reduce his fee to £500/month, even though he will spend the same number of hours doing Martha’s accounts. As a result, Martha keeps the contract with Ahmad. After a vaccine is discovered, Martha’s sales go back to their pre-pandemic levels. Yet, she rejected Ahmad’s notice to go back to the £1,000/month rate, saying that he has promised to accept £500. Two months after the notice, Ahmad decides that it is enough, and he wants to bring a claim against Martha demanding the payment of his full fees since the pandemic started.
Advise Ahmad as to the legal issues that may arise.
