Legal Advice on Compensation Rights – Project Cancellation

[Annmarsel]

Dear all,

I need urgent advice regarding my rights for compensation. I am a subcontractor and was awarded a purchase order (PO) 15 months ago for a project that kept getting delayed. The job was scheduled to start on 27.01. Before that, on 07.01, I was informed that asbestos training was required. I was assured that updated project details would be sent to my email, but the company mistakenly sent them to another contractor instead.

I only became aware of this when I followed up, but by then, the company had already appointed another subcontractor and issued me a “non-compliance” cancellation—despite the fact that I have all valid certifications, including for my team.

The company informed me of this late on Friday, just before I was due to start on Monday. This sudden decision has left me in a difficult position, forcing me to lay off my team, as we had allocated time for this project until mid-March.

Given that:

The PO was binding.

The delay was due to their miscommunication and not my fault.

The project was not even ready to start on Monday.

I have worked with this company for nearly 10 years without issue.


Do I have grounds to claim compensation for lost earnings, negligence, or any other legal recourse? I feel this decision was unfair and based on their internal mistakes rather than any actual non-compliance on my part.

I would appreciate your guidance on how to proceed.
Thank you in advance on any suggestions

[echat11]

ULA Can you please take a look.

[atticus]

I would want to see the purchase order and any other relevant documents. Clearly the purchase order was conditional if some training was a requirement.

[Annmarsel]

Thank you for reply. PO was not conditional as no training was mentioned until few weeks before project meant to start. I have PO 15 months and no mentioning of asbestos requirements. The moment I learnt i needed i have acted and completed asbestos certificate. Problem arise as key information were sent to wrong company ( employee turnover might be a reason) i couldn't possibly know about it earlier. A simple follow up call would solve miscommunication. I have worked with this company 10y and never had this issue.