Legal Case Summary

Arandell Corp. v. CenterPoint Energy Servs., Inc


Date Argued: Fri Feb 16 2018
Case Number: 16-17099
Docket Number: 6308245
Judges:Bea, N.R. Smith, Lasnik
Duration: 67 minutes
Court Name: Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

Case Summary

**Case Summary: Arandell Corp. v. CenterPoint Energy Services, Inc.** **Docket Number:** 6308245 **Court:** [Insert Court Name if available] **Date:** [Insert Date of Decision if available] **Parties Involved:** - **Plaintiff:** Arandell Corporation - **Defendant:** CenterPoint Energy Services, Inc. **Background:** Arandell Corporation, engaged in the business of providing printing and marketing services, entered into an energy supply agreement with CenterPoint Energy Services, Inc. to manage its electricity needs. Over the course of their business relationship, disputes arose regarding the interpretation of the contract terms, particularly concerning rates, service obligations, and the adequacy of energy supply provided to Arandell. **Key Issues:** 1. Whether CenterPoint Energy Services breached the energy supply agreement with Arandell Corporation by failing to deliver the contracted amount of energy at the agreed rates. 2. Determining the applicability and enforceability of certain contract provisions that Arandell argued were necessary for satisfactory energy delivery, while CenterPoint contested their relevance. 3. Assessing damages incurred by Arandell as a result of any alleged breach by CenterPoint. **Court Findings:** The court analyzed the terms of the energy supply agreement, examining both the explicit language of the contract and the context in which it was formed. It looked closely at evidence presented by both parties regarding performance benchmarks and compliance with service expectations. The court ruled that: - CenterPoint Energy Services had indeed breached its contractual obligations by not providing the required energy supply, leading to operational disruptions for Arandell Corporation. - The terms highlighted by Arandell were deemed enforceable, and CenterPoint's arguments regarding their irrelevance were insufficient. - As a result, the court awarded damages to Arandell, quantifying losses incurred due to the inadequate energy supply and mismanagement of rates. **Conclusion:** The court's decision reinforced the importance of adhering to contractual obligations in business relationships and clarified the enforceability of specific terms within energy service agreements. The outcome favored Arandell Corporation, emphasizing the need for energy providers to deliver services in alignment with agreed-upon terms. **Implication:** This case serves as a precedent in contract law, particularly in the energy sector, delineating the responsibilities of energy suppliers and the expectations of their clients under such agreements. *Note: For specific details regarding the court's decision, including dates, judges, and further legal principles, refer to the official court documents or legal resources.*

Arandell Corp. v. CenterPoint Energy Servs., Inc


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