This is the ninth in a series of articles in which Christopher Hamel-Smith addresses some of the key legal issues arising out of the Y2K challenge. They were written in order to make a contribution to the Trinidad & Tobago business community’s efforts to prepare for the transition into the Year 2000 and to manage the associated risks. Forming part of a broader series on "Information Technology and the Law" by the same author, these articles were first published in the "Business Guardian" over the period June 10, 1999 to September 9, 1999.
Every business is dependent on its relationships with key customers, suppliers and other business partners. We each face the risk of disputes about allocating losses caused by any Y2K disruptions along the supply-chain. Litigation is one way to resolve such disputes. However, it will usually be an unsatisfactory way to do so. Litigation is inherently unproductive and expensive. It damages our relationships and tarnishes reputations. When a dispute
