BAR FLASHCARDS - C5 Terms of K
Terms - Parol Evidence Rule (PER)
Keeps out evidence of a prior or contemporaneous agreement (either oral or written) that contradicts a later final writing
- PER problem requires a writing, so if the fact pattern tells you that the parties only orally agreed, you have a SoF problem, not a PER problem
Parol evidence can be ORAL or WRITTEN!
PER Keeps out evidence of….
Keeps out evidence of a prior or contemporaneous agreement (either oral or written) that contradicts a later final writing.
Gist: Final writing supersedes prior oral or written evidence.
PAROL EVIDENCE RULE—SUPPLEMENTING, EXPLAINING, OR CONTRADICTING TERMS
When the parties to a contract express their agreement in a writing with the intent that it embody the final expression of their bargain, the writing is an “integration.” Any other expressions—written or oral—made prior to the writing, as well as any oral expressions contemporaneous with the writing, are inadmissible to vary the terms of the writing.
Exceptions to Parol Evidence Rule (4 main ones)
- Partially integrated writing.
- Defense against formation (not contradict writing, just say “i want out of the deal”, like for fraud or lying.
- Explain vague or ambigious term. Not contradicting, just interpreting.
- Correct Clerical Error
Stuff that happens after writing
Not within PER
After signing the written lease, the manager promised J. Lo that the Hotel would “throw in the bridal suite for free.” Does the parol evidence rule prevent J. Lo from getting this promise into evidence?
No, this happened after writing so PER doesnt apply. But think about pre-existing legal duty rule and SoF.
Partial integration =
a final statement of the terms included, but NOT a complete statement of all terms agreed to
*if you see partial or complete integration answer, it’s probably wrong
Partial Integration—Additional Terms Permitted
If an integration is complete, the writing cannot be contradicted or supplemented. If, however, the integration is partial, the writing may not be contradicted but may be supplemented by proving consistent additional terms.
The UCC presumes all writings are partial integrations.
Exceptions to PER (so the evidence gets in)
(*) Partially integrated writing
(1) Correct a Clerical Error (e.g. typo)
(2) Establish a Defense Against Formation
(3) Interpret a Vague or Ambiguous Term - Parol Evidence is okay
(4) Add to a Partially Integrated Writing - Parol Evidence is okay
(5).PERadmissibletoshowaconditionprecedent
**Note that PER applies to oral or written evidence (can bring in either if meet one of the exceptions above)
** new consideration?)
Is the Writing an “Integration”?
When the parties to a contract express their agreement in a writing with the intent that it embody the final expression of their bargain, the writing is an “integration.”
There are two components:
(1) whether the writing was intended as the final expression of the agreement; and
(2) whether the integration was intended to be complete or partial. Evidence is admissible to show the parties’ intent.
Effect of Merger Clause
A merger clause recites that the agreement is the complete agreement between the parties.
The presence of a merger clause is usually determinative in large commercial contracts. For most contracts, however, the modern trend is to consider it as one factor in determining integration.
A memo prepared by one party and not shown to the other…
A memo prepared by one party and not shown to the other can never be an integration because the parties could not have intended it to be the final complete expression of their agreement when one party has not even seen it. The writing is merely evidence of the agreement. Note that a confirmatory memo may be a partial integration under the UCC because it was sent to the other party and that party was aware of its contents
Evidence Outside Scope of PER
Because the rule prohibits admissibility only of extrinsic evidence that seeks to vary, contradict, or add to an “integration,” other forms of extrinsic evidence may be admitted if they won’t bring about this result, that is, they will fall outside the scope of the parol evidence rule.
a. validity issues
b. Collateral Agreements and Naturally Omitted Terms
c. Interpretation
d. Showing of “True Consideration”
e. Reformation
f. Subsequent Modifications
g. Additional Terms Under Article 2
Validity Issues
A party to a written contract can attack the agreement’s validity. The party acknowledges (concedes) that the writing reflects the agreement but asserts, most frequently, that the agreement never came into being because of any of the following:
- Formation Defects: Formation defects (for example, fraud, duress, mistake, and illegality) may be shown by extrinsic evidence.
- Conditions Precedent to Effectiveness: If a party asserts that there was an oral agreement that the written contract would not become effective until a condition occurred, all evidence of the understanding may be offered and received.
Collateral Agreements and Naturally Omitted Terms
Parol evidence is often said to be admissible if the alleged parol agreement is collateral to the written obligation (that is, related to the subject matter but not part of the primary promise) and does not conflict with it.
The Restatements of Contracts include a similar concept with a more definitive approach: the naturally omitted terms doctrine.
The doctrine allows evidence of terms that would naturally be omitted from the written agreement.
A term would naturally be omitted if:
- (1) it does not conflict with the written integration; and
- (2) it concerns a subject that similarly situated parties would not ordinarily be expected to include in the written instrument.
Interpretation
If there is uncertainty or ambiguity in the written agreement’s terms or a dispute as to the meaning of those terms, parol evidence can be received to aid the fact finder in reaching a correct interpretation of the agreement. However, if the meaning of the agreement is plain, parol evidence is inadmissible.
Conduct as a Source of Terms - Categories
(1) Course of Performance
(2) Course of Dealing
(3) Usage of Trade
Course of Performance
How parties performed under previous installments of this CURRENT contract
*Course of performance is the best evidence of what parties intended
Course of Dealing
What parties did under PRIOR Ks with each other
- less important than the current course of performance
Trade Usage
What others in the trade do in similar contracts (less important than both course of dealing and course of performance)
Showing of “True Consideration”
The parol evidence rule will not bar extrinsic evidence showing the “true consideration” paid (such as evidence that the consideration stated in the contract was never paid).
Reformation
If a party to a written agreement alleges facts (for example, mistake) entitling him to reformation of the agreement, the parol evidence rule is inapplicable.
Subsequent Modifications
Parol evidence can be offered to show subsequent modifications of a written contract.
Additional Terms Under Article 2
Article 2 generally follows the rules discussed above, providing that a party can’t contradict a written contract but may add consistent additional terms unless:
(1) there is a merger clause, or (2) the courts find from all of the circumstances that the writing was intended as a complete and exclusive statement of the terms of the agreement.
Article 2 also provides that a written contract’s terms may be explained or supplemented by evidence of course of performance, course of dealing, and usage of trade—regardless of whether or not the writing appears to be ambiguous.
GENERAL RULES OF CONTRACT CONSTRUCTION
a. Contracts will be construed as a “whole”; specific clauses will be subordinated to the contract’s general intent.
b. The courts will construe words according to their “ordinary” meaning unless it is clearly shown that they were meant to be used in a technical sense.
c. If provisions appear to be inconsistent, written or typed provisions will prevail over printed provisions.
d. The courts generally will try to reach a determination that a contract is valid and enforceable.
e. Ambiguities in a contract are construed against the party preparing the contract, absent evidence of the intention of the parties.
f. The parties’ course of dealing (that is, the sequence of conduct concerning previous transactions between the parties to a particular transaction that may be regarded as establishing a common basis of their understanding)
g. A usage of trade (that is, a practice or method of dealing, regularly observed in a particular business setting so as to justify an expectation that it will be followed in the transaction in question)
h. The parties’ course of performance (that is, if a contract involves repeated occasions for performance by either party and the other party has the opportunity to object to such perfor- mance, any course of performance accepted or acquiesced to is relevant in determining the meaning of the contract)
i. When rules conflict: (1) express terms are given greater weight than course of performance, course of dealing, and usage of trade; (2) course of performance is given greater weight than course of dealing or usage of trade; and (3) course of dealing is given greater weight than usage of trade.
ARTICLE 2 PROVISIONS ON INTERPRETING CONTRACTS
Supplemental (“Gap-Filler”) Terms
Recall that the key to forming a contract for the sale of goods is the quantity term. If other terms are missing from the agreement, Article 2 has gap-filler provisions to fill in the missing term(s).
- Price: (1) nothing has been said as to price; (2) the price is left open to be agreed upon by the parties and they fail to agree; or (3) the price is to be fixed in terms of some standard that is set by a third person or agency and it is not set, then the price is a reasonable price at the time for delivery.
- Place of Delivery: If the place of delivery isn’t specified, the place usually is the seller’s place of business, if they have one; otherwise, it’s the seller’s home.
- Time for shipment or delivery: If the time for shipment or delivery isn’t specified, shipment/delivery is due within a reasonable time
- Time for Payment: If the time for payment isn’t specified, payment is due at the time and place at which the buyer is to receive the goods.
- Assortment: If a contract provides that an assortment of goods is to be delivered (for example, blouses in various colors and sizes) and doesn’t specify which party is to choose, the assortment is at the buyer’s option. If the party who has the right to specify the assortment doesn’t do so seasonably, the other party is excused from any resulting delay and may either proceed in any reasonable manner (for example, choose a reasonable assortment) or treat the failure as a breach.
Seller’s Warranties of Quality in a sale of Goods
(1) Express Warranty
(2) Implied Warranty of Merchantability
(3) Implied Warranty of Fitness for Particular Purpose
Warranties
Contracts for the sale of goods automatically include a warranty of title (in most cases). They also may include certain implied warranties and express warranties.
Express Warranty
Describe the goods, promise facts about the goods, showing sample or model, but NOT an opinion/puffrey
- example: This ring is solid 24 carat gold (EW)
- all parts of my widgets are “top notch” or “best quality” - NOT EW, mere puffrey
Express Warranties
Any affirmation of fact or promise made by the seller to the buyer, any description of the goods, and any sample or model creates an express warranty if the statement, description, sample, or model is part of the basis of the bargain.
For the statement, description, sample, or model to be a part of the basis of the bargain, it need only come at such a time that the buyer could have relied on it when they entered into the contract.
The buyer does not need to prove that they actually did rely, although the seller may negate the warranty by proving that the buyer as a matter of fact did not rely.
It isn’t necessary that the seller intended the affirmation of fact, description, model, or sample to create a warranty.
showing sample or model of products
That is an EXPRESS warranty.
Statements of Value or Opinion
A statement relating merely to the value of the goods, or a statement purporting to be only the seller’s opinion or commen- dation of the goods, doesn’t create an express warranty.
“All parts of my widgets are “top notch” and “best quality.””
NOT a warranty. Just puffery.