6 Contract Law Flashcards
1
Q
What is contract law? (2)
A
- A contract is a legally binding document and agreement
2. It is a body of rules of agreement based on a mutual exchange of obligation
2
Q
What ingredients are needed for a contract? (8)
A
- An intention to create legal relations
- An offer (usually preceded by an invitation to treat)
- An acceptance
- Consideration
- Capacity
- Consensus ad idem
- Legal and possible objects
- Sometimes written formalities
3
Q
What is an intention to create legal relations? (2)
A
- Must be an intention to establish a legally binding contract
- Where work has been done and paid for there is an assumption that there existed an intention to create legal relations due to transaction
4
Q
What is an offer? (3)
A
- Must be an offer by one party which is unequivocally accepted by another
- May be in writing, oral or inferred from the parties conduct
- ‘An offer is a statement or a promise by one party of a willingness to enter into a contract which if accepted will give rise to a binding contract’
5
Q
What is an invitation to tender? (5)
A
- Considered under Common Law
- An invitation to tender is not an offer but an invitation to negotiate
- A tender can be revoked at any time before it has been and accepted
- A tender, once accepted, becomes a binding contract
- Under Local Government Act 1972 an 1988 Local Authorities must publicise their tendering / formalised contracting procedures
6
Q
What is an acceptance? (2)
A
- A final and unqualified acceptance of the terms of an offer and made in writing or by conduct
- An acceptance must exactly match the offer and must be certain and unambiguous
7
Q
What happens if a party rejects an offer? (2)
A
- If an offer is rejected or a counter offer is made the the original offer is no longer valid
- You have to frame any negotiation as an enquiry
8
Q
What is consideration? (4)
A
- A one way promise of exchange of value in return for what is promised by another party
- Must be an exchange of value (provisions of goods, performance of works, payment of money)
- Each variation to a contract must be treated as a new contract
- Consideration must be taken on both sides of the contract
9
Q
What are the 3 key points on consideration?
A
- Consideration must be sufficient but need not be adequate
- Consideration must not be past
- Consideration must move from the promisee
10
Q
What does ‘consideration must be sufficient but need not be equate’ mean? (3)
A
- If a party promises to do nothing more then they are already bound to do then this shows no consideration
- Requires that something of value must be given for a promise
- It’s not about receiving equal value, needs to be some real or sufficient value and consideration
11
Q
What does ‘consideration must not be past’ mean? (2)
A
- Anything which has been done in the past is not consideration
- If one party performs an act and the other party then makes a promise it is considered to be in the past and is unenforceable
12
Q
What does ‘consideration must move from the promisee’ mean? (2)
A
- Consideration must be provided by the promisee to the promiser and arise out of the contractual relationship
- Needs to be detriment to the promisee
13
Q
What is capacity? (2)
A
- Must ensure that all parties in the contract have the legal capacity (or ability) to enter into a contract
- Not a minor
14
Q
What does ‘consensus ad idem’ mean? (3)
A
- Also referred to as ‘meeting of the minds’
- Described the intentions of the parties forming the contract
- Refers to situations where there are common understandings
15
Q
What is estoppel? (2)
A
- Legal principle which arrises when a promise, assurance or representation of some future conduct is relied upon by another to that persons detriment
- Prevents a person from making assertions or legal actions that are contradictory to their prior position on certain matters