Haines House Haulage Co Ltd v Gamble - [1989] 3 NZLR 221

Contract — Defences — Accord and satisfaction — Lengthy dispute between debtor and creditor as to amount owing — Debtor sent cheque to creditor "in full and final payment" accompanied by letter setting out basis of calculations and nature of deductions — Director of creditor banked cheque and 10 days later replied refusing to accept deductions — Creditor sued for balance owing and debtor pleaded accord and satisfaction — Whether circumstances should be viewed objectively — Whether banking of cheque created inference in favour of debtor — Whether 10 days delay in replying overcame that inference — Whether defence of accord and satisfaction was established.