In March 2023, the online media doi.dk could report that the bankrupt ship owner, Jørgen Holm Christensen, feels cheated of several millions by the state-owned construction company behind the Femern project, Femern A/S. According to Jørgen Holm Christensen, Femern A/S has run away from an oral agreement on compensation for Femern A/S canceling a ten-year contract for guard ship patrolling in 2012. The agreement was canceled because the Femern project had at that time been postponed indefinitely.
Six million in compensation
At the time, Femern A/S and the now-bankrupt shipowner, according to Jørgen Holm Christensen, entered into an oral agreement that the shipowner would receive six million kroner in compensation and would also receive the task once the project got underway. This is the agreement Jørgen Holm Christensen believes Femern A/S has run away from.
Are oral agreements legal?
The shipowner went to member of parliament and chairman of the Danish People’s Party, Morten Messerschmidt. He has now sent an §20 question to Transport Minister Thomas Danielsen (V). Here, Morten Messerschmidt asks, among other things, the Minister of Transport to investigate whether such oral agreements are generally entered into, and if so, whether these are in accordance with the legislation?
Expect the minister to investigate
FemernReport has asked Morten Messerschmidt about what he thinks can be done from the political side in the case:
– I have spoken to Jørgen (Holm Christensen, ed.), and here I got an indication that everything is not going according to the rules. When I am presented with such a case, I take it seriously, and I expect the minister to investigate the case, says Morten Messerschmidt.
Can’t be a solicitor
What will your question to the minister mean for Jørgen Holm Christensen?
– I cannot be legal counsel for Jørgen Holm Christensen, but if the rules are not complied with, I expect the minister to take action. My starting point is that everything goes by the book, says Morten Messerschmidt.
Oral agreements are also binding
In Danish contract law, an oral agreement is fully as binding as a written one. But it can, by its very nature, be somewhat more difficult to prove.
FemernReport has submitted the Section 20 question to Femern A/S, but has not received a reply by the time of deadline on Monday.
