Chapter 10 Flashcards
Private law
The terms of the contract that the parties enter into
Contract
An agreement that is enforceable by a court of law or equity
Offeror
The party who makes an offer to enter into a contract
Offeree
The party to whom an offer to enter into a contract is made
Bilateral contract
A contract entered into by the way of exchange of promises of the parties, a “promise for a promise”
Unilateral contract
A contract in which the offender’s offer can be accepted only by the performance of an act by the offeree, a “promise for an act”
Objective theory of contracts
Holds that the intent to enter into an express or implied-in-fact contracts is judged by the reasonable person standard
Actual contract
An agreement that is expressed in written or oral words
Requirements for an Implied-in-Fact Contract:
- The plaintiff provided property or services to the defendant
- The plaintiff expected to be paid by the defendant for the property or services and did not provide the property or services gratuitously
- The defendant was given an opportunity to reject the property or services provided by the plaintiff but failed to do so
Quasi contract
Provides that the court may award monetary damages to a plaintiff for providing work or services to a defendant even though no actual contract existed between the parties. Also called, implied-in-law contract
A quasi-contract is imposed where:
(1) One person confers a benefit on another, who retains the benefits, and (2) it would be unjust not to require that person to pay for the benefit received
Executed contract
A contract that has been fully performed on both sides; a completed contract
Executory contract
A contract that has not been fully performed by either or both sides
Valid contract
A contracts that meets all the essential elements to establish a contract; A contract that is enforceable by at least one of the parties
A valid contract must:
(1) Consist of an agreement between parties, (2) be supported by legally sufficient considerations, (3) be between parties with contractual capacity, and (4) accomplish a lawful object
Void contract
One that has no legal effect
Voidable contract
A contract in which one or both parties have the option to void their contractual obligations
Unenforceable contract
One where there is some legal defense to the enforcement of the contract
Requirements of a Contract
- Agreement
- Consideration
- Contractual Capacity
- Lawful Object
Agreement
The manifestation by two or more persons of the substance of a contract
Three elements required to make an offer effective:
- The offeror must objectively intend to be bound by the offer
- The terms of the offer must be definite or reasonably certain
- The offer must be communicated to the offeree
An offer must contain the following terms:
- Identification of the parties
- Identification of the subject matter and quantity
- Consideration to be paid
- Time of performance
Revocation
Withdrawal of an offer by the offeror that terminates an offer
The revocation may be:
(1) Communicated to the offeree either by the offeror or a third party and (2) made by the offeror’s express statement or by an act of the offeror that is inconsistent with the offer
Rejection
Express words or conduct by the offeree that rejects an offer. Rejection terminates the offer
Counteroffer
A response by an offeree that contains terms and conditions different from or in addition those of the offer. A counteroffer terminates an offer
Lapse of time
A stated time period after which an offer expires. If no time is stated, an offer terminates after a reasonable time
Supervening illegality
The enactment of a statute or regulation or court decision that makes the object of an offer illegal. This terminates the offer