Chapter 3.2 Flashcards
Recognise examples of contractual terms typically incorporated into contracts that are created with external organisations
Liability
Being legally responsible for something
Strict liability
A standard of liability under which a person is legally responsible for the consequences of an activity, even in the absence of fault or criminal intent on the part of the person
Indemnity
A security or protection against loss, usually by way of financial recompense
Name 7 things to consider in respect of liability and indemnity clauses
- Liquidated damages
- Exclusion of liability (e.g. force majeure)
- Negligence of the other party
- Indemnity
- Financial limit of indemnity
- Limiting scope of liability
- Transfer of liability - often called transfer of risk
How may contract terms seek to limit liability
By placing a financial limit on indemnity levels
Insurance
An arrangement where a fee is paid to one party (the insurance company) so that it will accept the risk and meet any costs that would normally fall to the person who has the legal liability for them. Effectively the risk is transferred from the person with the legal liability to the insurer
Name 5 types of insurance cover referenced in contracts
- Employers liability
- Public/products liability
- Professional indemnity cover
- Goods in transit cover
- Works/buildings
What is employers liability
A legal requirement for any company that employs staff, this covers the duty of care owed by an employer to those staff; for example, compensation for injury suffered in the course of their employment
What is public/products liability
sometimes known as ‘third party cover’, this relates to any injury, loss or damage caused by the company’s products, or on its premises, or as a result of the actions of its personnel
What is professional indemnity cover
This relates to losses that occur as a result of poor or negligent advice that is given in a professional capacity
What is goods in transit cover
This is for damage caused during the delivery process
What is works/buildings insurance
This is cover for partially completed building works, or the buildings in which they are being carried out
Name 9 things to remember in respect of insurance clauses
- Employers liability
- Public/products liability
- Professional indemnity insurance (PII) or PI cover
- Goods in transit
- Works/buildings in which works are being carried out
- Level of cover required
- Aggregate or ‘each and every’
- Scope of cover
- Audit-ability of insurance
What is insurance used to do
To make certain that the offending party can meet the financial costs of its liability in the event of a claim
How can you make sure subcontractors are appropriately insured?
Use contract terms
Subcontract
A contract that sits below, is directly linked to and is partly governed by a higher contract to deliver part of the requirements of that higher contract. There can be several layers if sub and sub-contractors
What does it mean when talking about a subcontract?
One that sits underneath a higher one, is directly related to it and often partially governed by it
What are layers of a contract often referred to as?
‘tiers’
Name 3 reasons why a purchaser will want to control the suppliers subcontracting
- Supply chain
- Contract terms
- Liability
Assignment
A situation where the responsibility for the delivery of the contract is passed to a third party
Novation
The transfer of both burdens and benefits of a contract; the old contract is destroyed and a new one created
Name 5 things to consider in respect of clauses relating to subcontractors
- Do you wish to permit subcontracting at all?
- How much control over the selection of subcontractors do you need?
- What influence over subcontract terms do you want?
- Ensure that the main contractor retains liability
- Beware the impact on price
What should contract terms be used to do in relation to subcontracting
To control subcontracting, including whether it is permitted at all and any specific terms that may be necessary in the subcontracts regarding payment terms, insurance etc
Guarantee
A commitment from the seller (or original equipment manufacturer) that should a product (or in some instances, a service) not meet a stated quality in a specified period then it will be repaired, replaced or refunded. There are likely to be terms and conditions. The guarantee is usually written
Does the guarantee outlive the contract?
Yes
Name 3 things to consider in respect of guarantees
- Do you need a guarantee
- How long does the guarantee need to be
- What needs to be included in the guarantee
Liquidated damages
An agreed sum of money which is payable by one party to another in the event that they breach a term in a contract; the damages must be a genuine estimate before the breach occurs of any consequences from a financial viewpoint
Damages
The legal term for financial payments to compensate for a loss of some kind.