Edel Payne breaks her silence: 'I will honour every contract'
Derry photographer Edel Payne last night broke her silence to give a "personal assurance" that all her clients will receive their missing wedding albums.
Speaking exclusively to the 'Derry Journal', Ms Payne said she would honour every contract - claiming that she had already completed some of the missing wedding albums.
It's the first time Ms. Payne has spoken publicly since it was revealed three weeks ago that more than 20 couples are still waiting for their wedding albums - some of them more than 18 months after their big day.
Ms Payne has already been ordered to pay more than 5,000 in damages at the small claims court, and a number of other couples are threatening to take legal action against her.
It's also understood that the photographer has started emptying her studio at Great James Street.
The Professional Photographers Association of Northern Ireland (PPANI) has already offered to complete the wedding albums free of charges - but only if Edel Payne signs over the copyright.
However, Ms Payne insists she will not need to sign over the rights and she told the 'Journal' last night that she is currently working on all outstanding albums and will "without doubt, uphold every single contract."
A friend of the photographer added: "Edel's skills in photography have never been in question, but there could be something on the administrative side that needs looked at. We just hope she gets this sorted out and gets back to doing what she does best."
It's been suggested that Ms. Payne only received notification of one case in the small claims court, and details of others may have gone to a different address. She says she is now looking at the other cases in detail.
Meanwhile, the 'Journal' this week spoke to a Derry couple who say they've been forced to take their case to Enforcement of Judgements after waiting more than two years for their wedding pictures.
Waiting two years
Lisa Moore and her husband Andy were married in July 2007 and had their wedding pictures taken by Edel Payne. However, after two years waiting for their photographs, the couple decided to take their case to the small claims court.
"In April, Edel Payne was ordered to pay us back the 1,500 we gave her," said Lisa. "But, since then, we've heard nothing. We've now taken our case to the enforcement of judgements office."
The couple estimate they have now spent almost 1,900 on pursuing their case.
"We've gave Edel 1,500," said Louise. "Then we had 100 of court fees. Then we had to pay a further 269 for Enforcement of Judgements. It just feels like we are throwing good money after bad."
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Saturday 04 February 2012
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