Business Law: Part 1 Flashcards
what is specific performance?
court order to fulfill the terms of the contract
when an agency is terminated by operation of law, is the principal required to notify the third party that the agent’s authority has been terminated?
NO
what is an agent?
a person authorized to act on another’s behalf
what is the doctrine of respondeat superior?
basically means that an employer is liable for the torts of its EMPLOYEES (not independent contractors)
actual authority arises from communications between which two parties, while apparent authority arises from communications between which two parties?
actual: principal and agent
apparent: principal and third party with whom the agent deals
if the principal is undisclosed, who can be held liable to the third party?
both the principal and agent.
think about it, the third party does not know a principal exists, so they can come after the agent and then the principal once the principal becomes known
what is actual authority?
authority the agent reasonably believes that he/she has based on communications with the principal
if an agent fraudulently breaches a fiduciary duty, what options are available to the principal?
termination of the agency
constructive trust
what are the 3 elements of a contract?
offer, acceptance, consideration
what is the mailbox rule?
if no means of acceptance is specified, the acceptance is effective upon dispatch
when is a unilateral contract formed?
when a promise is exchanged for an act
T or F, an offer may be terminated by the offeror at any time unless the offeree gave consideration to keep the offer open.
T
if consideration is given, it is known as an option contract
are advertisements considered offers?
generally no, they are invitations to negotiate.
to be considered an offer, the advertisement has to be very specific
under the common law of contracts, how is a contract modification treated?
like a new contract and requires consideration
what are the different ways of ratifying a contract entered into by a minor?
impliedly after reaching the age of majority, expressly after reaching the age of majority, failing to disaffirm within a reasonable time after reaching majority
*minors have the right to disaffirm while they are a minor and within a reasonable time after becoming an adult. The adult cannot disaffirm
what is an accord?
an agreement to substitute one contract for another
what is the parol evidence rule?
prohibits the introduction of prior or contemporaneous oral statements that seek to vary the terms of a fully integrated (written) contract.
*introduction of subsequent oral or written agreements is allowed
can a party obtain specific performance and recover compensatory damages?
NO, one or the other
when can a material unilateral mistake be a defense?
if the nonmistaken party either knew or should have known of the mistake
when is a liquidated damages clause not enforceable?
if it constitutes a penalty or it is unreasonable in relation to the actual harm done
duress through physical harm or threat of such harm renders a contract ___.
void
fraud in the execution (void)
v.
fraud in the inducement (voidable)
person did not know that he was signing a contract
person enters into a contract because its terms or the surrounding circumstances are not as represented