Lappeenranta event organiser ordered to pay nearly €19,000 over cancelled gig

A Lappeenranta dance pavilion operator has been ordered to pay nearly €19,000 after cancelling a band’s performance, following a district court ruling reported by Yle.

The South Karelia District Court found that Jari Papinniemi had entered a binding agreement with the three-piece band for a June 2022 gig at Jänhiälä stage and had no right to cancel without compensation. The court awarded the band a €620 fee plus over €13,000 in legal costs, with Papinniemi’s own legal expenses bringing his total liability to around €19,000.

Papinniemi has appealed the decision and is awaiting permission to take the case to the Court of Appeal. He maintains the initial phone call in October 2021 was only a preliminary inquiry and that no formal written contract was ever signed. The band, however, sent a follow-up email confirming the details discussed by phone, which the court considered sufficient evidence of an agreement.

Industry representatives describe such prolonged legal disputes as rare in the events sector. Mia Kari, chair of the Musicians’ Union, said most contract disagreements are resolved through negotiation or mediation. Sami Kerman, CEO of the Event Industry Association, advised that all arrangements should be clearly documented in writing to avoid disputes, noting that legal costs can quickly escalate far beyond the original fee.

A benefit concert to help cover the legal costs will be held at Jänhiälä stage this weekend.