Soca star Patrice Roberts has been ordered to pay more than US$25,000 to a Canadian entertainment company following a High Court ruling in Trinidad and Tobago on April 7th, according to a report by the Trinidad and Tobago Guardian.
The ruling, delivered by High Court Judge Robin Mohammed, requires Roberts to pay US$25,104.12 in compensation to Ontario-based Soca Bookings Incorporated for services rendered while the company briefly managed her career.
According to reporting by Derek Achong, the court partially upheld the company’s breach of contract claim, finding that it was entitled to compensation for management services and financial advances made on the artiste’s behalf.
The judge determined that while the company was entitled to a total of US$35,472 for its services and advances, it also owed Roberts US$10,367.88 in digital music sales revenue collected during the management period. This allowed for a set-off, meaning Roberts is only required to pay the difference.
The dispute stemmed from an oral agreement reached in 2015, under which the company provided management services in exchange for commission on performances. Roberts terminated the arrangement in 2017 and denied owing the company, while also filing a counterclaim for her music earnings.
In his judgment, Justice Mohammed ruled that although the agreement included a clause deferring payment of management fees until profitability, the company was still entitled to reasonable compensation for services rendered.
The case highlights the legal risks associated with informal management agreements in the entertainment industry, particularly where contractual terms are not fully documented.
