4. Consideration Flashcards

1
Q

What is the most basic definition of consideration?

A

An act or forbearance of one party, or the promise of such

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2
Q

What is the difference between executory and executed consideration?

A

Executory: act or forbearance to be performed in future
Executed: state of consideration when it is performed

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3
Q

Must consideration be provided by parties to the contract, or can a third party provide it?

A

Only parties to the contract

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4
Q

What is required for a third party to enforce the terms of a contract under the Contract (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999?

A
  1. The third party must not be a party
  2. The third party must be named in the contract, expressly or as part of a described class
  3. The term is to be enforced for the third party’s benefit
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5
Q

Are the courts concerned with whether consideration is adequate?

A

No, just that it is sufficient

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6
Q

What is one situation in which the inadequacy of consideration may be taken into account?

A

When it is used as evidence of a vitiating factor concerning mistake or duress

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7
Q

What is illusory consideration?

A

Consideration without some value in the eyes of the law

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8
Q

Whilst performance of an existing obligation is generally not good consideration, what are three exceptions to this?

A
  1. A promise going beyond the original obligation
  2. Where performance conveys a practical benefit on the party offering additional consideration, e.g. avoidance a monetary fine
  3. Performance of an obligation owed to a third party
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9
Q

Why is a promise going beyond the original obligation good consideration?

A

Because it is effectively a new contract

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10
Q

Is performance of an existing statutory duty good consideration?

A

No, unless performance goes above and beyond that duty

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11
Q

What is an exception to the general rule that past acts or performance are not good consideration?

A

When the act or performance was done at the promisor’s request, and there was an implied understanding that payment would follow

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12
Q

What are the three criteria for arguing the implied understanding of payment exception?

A
  1. Act done at promisor’s request
  2. Parties understood that the act was to be remunerated
  3. The payment would be legally enforceable if it was made in advance of the act
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13
Q

What is the rationale behind the general rule that part payment of a debt is not consideration for the having the debt discharged?

A

There is no fresh consideration to make the creditor’s promise to accept less legally binding

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14
Q

What are some exceptions to the general rule that part payment of a debt is not consideration for the having the debt discharged

A
  1. Debt of uncertain value, disputed in good faith: the promise to pay something is deemed consideration
  2. Unliquidated claim generally (amount owed is uncertain)
  3. Payment at a different place or earlier payment
  4. Payment through a different means (if the creditor requests it)
  5. A third party makes the payment (on the basis that an agreement reached in good faith would discharge the debt)
  6. A composition between debtor and ALL creditors to accept less
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15
Q

What is promissory estoppel?

A

An equitable principle which gives legal effect to an agreement unsupported by consideration

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16
Q

Can promissory estoppel be used as grounds for a claim as well as a defence?

A

Just a defence

17
Q

What are the three criteria for promissory estoppel to apply?

A
  1. Clear and unequivocal promise (express or implied) by the promisor that they won’t rely on existing legal rights
  2. The promisee has altered their position in reliance on the promise (need not be detrimental but this helps)
  3. It must be inequitable for the promisor to go back on their promise