7. Code III: Contracts Flashcards
Contract
an agreement that creates/ extinguishes/ modifies obligations
Unilateral Contract
only one party owes a duty
Bilateral Contract
both parties bind themselves reciprocally
2 Important Effects of Bilateral K
- each party is an obligor AND obligee
- when parties bind themselves reciprocally their obligations are co-relative
Onerous Contract
reason why obligor bound himself was to obtain a benefit for himself
Gratuitous Contract
reason bound was to benefit obligee or some other person
Gratuitous Contract
reason bound was to benefit obligee or some other person
Principal Contract
k whose obligation is secured by another K
Accessory Contract
k which provides security … dependent on principal k
Nominate Contract
given a special designation (special name/ rules)
Innominate Contract
no special designation/ no special rules
Communicative Contract
performance of parties is co-relative to the performane of the other party
Aleatory Contact
where performance/ extent of performance of any party to K depends on an UNCERTAIN EVENT
ONE PARTY’S PERFORMANCE MUST BE CERTAIN
(not the same as a conditional contract)
Requirements for Valid K
- capacity
- consent
- cause
- object
Capacity
all persons have contractural capacity
EXCEPT:
1. minors not emancipated
2. interdicts
3. persons deprived of reason at time of K
Capacity Enforceable for Minor When
(a) other party reasonably relies on minor’s false assertion of majority (LIE + REAS RELIANCE)
(b) related to minor’s business or necessary to education and support
OR
(c) when K is gratuitous
Onerous K enforceable DESPITE PARTY DEPRIVED OF REASON when:
other party knew/ should have known of the lack of capacity
K made by non interdicted party lacking capacity can be attacked after his death when:
- K is gratuitous
- K evidences a lack of understanding
- K is minor within 30 days of death
OR - application for interdiction filed before death
Consent
evidenced by offer and acceptance
generally no form requirements
Offer
- personal to offeror
- generally revocable
- expires when…
When Offer is Irrevocable
(a) specifies a period of time, irrevocable during that time period
(b) does not specify but intends a period of tine for offeree to
ADD TO THIS CARD- NOTES CUT OFF
Expiration of Offer: When Offer is Revocable
(aka default rule)
if not accepted in reasonable time
Expiration of Offer: When Offer is Irrevocable
expires when period of irrevocability expires
CHECK- NOTES CUT OFF
Acceptance: When?
- revocable = when transmitted by offer (“mailbox rule”)
- irrevocable = upon receipt
CHECK- NOTES CUT OFF
Rejection is effective ___________
upon receipt
Acceptance by Performance Types
- acceptance by commencement of performance
- acceptance by completion of performance
Acceptance by Commencement of Performance
offeror invites acceptance by performance
AND
it is contemplated that performance will be completed if commenced
= formed when performance begins
Acceptance by Completion of Performance
NOT revocable once performance has commenced for a reasonable time necessary to complete the performance
- offeree not bound to complete
- offeree must give prompt notice if accepting by performance (unless offeror knew/ should have)
Acceptance by Silence
EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES ONLY
when silence leads offeror to reasonably believe that the offer was accepted
Nonconforming Acceptance
acceptance not in accord with the terms of an offer is a COUNTER OFFER
exception for merchants
K of Adhesion
losing arg
when “particularly one sided”
one party has superior bargaining power = subject to special scrutiny
LA does not have doctrine of unconscionability
Cause
the reason a party obligates himself
- helps judge know what promises to enforce:
- distinguishing onerous/ gratuitous Ks
- distinguishing errors that constitute vices of consent/ those that don’t
- identified Ks that shouldn’t be upheld bc immoral/ illegal
Cause Need NOT be Express
- effective If there is any valid cause (even a lie)
Simulation
K in which parties do not express their true cause
Detrimental Reliance
promissor obligated when:
1. promisee RELIED on the promise to her DETRIMENT
2. promisor KNEW/ SHOULD HAVE that promisee would rely
3. promisee was REASONABLE in so relying
= recovery discretionary with the court
If Detrimental Reliance is on Gratuitous Promise without Formalities
reliance NOT reasonable
Object
performance obligor owes to obligee
- lawful
- possible
- determined or determinable
Future Things are a ________ object
future things are a valid object
Promise de Porte Fort
object of K is an act of a 3d party: OG obligor is bound by obligation UNTIL 3P binds himself
Stipulation Pour Autris
party may stipulate a benefit for a 3P beneficiary
4 Steps to Determine Consent
- ID offer - decide if revocable or not
- if revocable, was it revoked?
- if not revoked or if it was irrevocable, was it expired?
- if didn’t expire and wasn’t revoked, acceptance?
Vices of Consent
- error
- fraud
- duress
Bilateral Error
consent vitiated if BOTH parties are in error
- parties can reform the instrument to reflect their true mutual consent