Chapter Nine Flashcards
Promise
An assertion that something either will or will not happen in the future
Promisor
A person who makes a promise
Promisee
A person to whom a promise is made
Contract
An agreement that can be enforced in court; formed by two or more competent parties who agree, for consideration, to perform or to refrain from performing some legal act now or in the future
Objective Theory Of Contracts
A theory under which the intent to form a contract will be judged by outward, objective facts (what the party said when entering into the contract, how the party acted or appeared , and the circumstances surrounding the transaction) as interpreted by a reasonable person, rather than by the party’s own secret, subjective intentions
Offeror
A person who makes an offer
Offeree
A person to whom an offer is made
Bilateral Contract
A type of contract that arises when a promise is given in exchange for a return promise
Unilateral Contract
A contract that results when an offer can be accepted only by the offeree’s performance
Formal contract
A contract that by law requires a specific form for its validity
Informal Contract
A contract that does not require a specific form or fomality to be valid
Express Contract
A contract in which the terms of the agreement are stated in words, oral or written
Implied contract
A contract formed in whole or in part from the conduct of the parties (as opposed to an express)
Executed Contract
a contract that has been completey performed by both parties
Executory contract
A contract that has not yet been fully performed
Valid Contract
A contract that results when the elements necessary for contract formation
Voidable contract
A contract that may be legally avoided (cancelled) at the option of one or both parties
unenforceable contract
a valid contract rendered unenforceable by some statute or law
void contract
a contract having no legal force or binding effect
agreement
a meeting of two or more minds in regard to the terms of a contract; usually broken down into two events- an offer by one party to form a contract and an accpetance of the offer by the person to whom the offer is made
Offer
A promise or commitment to perform or retain from performing some specified act in the future
Revocation
in contract law, the withdrawl of an offer by the offeror. unless the offer is irrevocable, it can be revoked at any time prior to acceptance without liability
Counteroffer
an offeree’s response to an offer in which the offeree rejects the orginal offer and at the same time makes a new offer
mirror image rule
a common law rule that requires that the terms of the oferee’s acceptance adhere exactly to the terms of the offeror’s offer for a valid contract to be formed
Option contract
a contract under which the offeror cannot revoke the offer for a stipulate time peroid
Acceptance
a voluntary act by the offeree that shows assent, or agreement, to the terms of an offer; may consist of words or conduct
Mailbox rule
a rule providing that an acceptance of an offer becomes effective on dispatch (on being placed in an offical mailbox), if mail is, expressly or impliedly, an authorized means of communication of acceptance from the offeror
e-contract
a contract that is formed electronically
Forum-selection clause
a provision in a contract designating the court, jurisdiction, or tirbunal that will decide any disputes arising under the contract
click-on-agreement
an agreement that arises when a buyer, engaging in a transaction on a computer, indicates assent to be bound by the terms of an offer by clicking on a button that says, for example “I agree”
Shrink-Wrap agreement
an agreement whose terms are expressed in a document located inside a box in which goods (usually software) are packed
Browse-wrap term
a term or condition of use that is presented to an internet user at the time certain products such as software, are being downloaded but that need not be agreed to (by clicking “I agree”, for example) before the user is able to install or use the product
E-signature
As defined by the uniform electronic transactions act, “an electronic sound, symbol, or process attached to or logically associated with a record and execuited or adopted by a person with the intent to sign the record
cybernotary
a legally recognized authority that can certify the validity of digital signatures
partnering agreement
an agreement between a seller and buyer who frequently do business with each other concerning the terms and conditions that will apply to all subsequently formed electronic contracts
Record
According to the uniform electronic transactions act, information that is either inscribed on a tangible medium or stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable
Consideration
generally, the value given in return for a promise or performance. the consideration, which must be present to make the contract legally binding, must be something of legality suffcient value and bargained for
rescission
A remdy whereby a contract is canceled and the parties are returned to the positions they occupied before the contract was made; may be effected through the mutual consent of the parties, by their conduct, or by court decree
Promissory estoppel
a doctrine that applies when a promisor makes a clear and definite promise on which the promisee justifiably relies; such a promise is binding if justice will be better served by the enforcement of the promise
contractual capacity
the threshold mental capacity required by the law for a party who enters into a contract to be bound by that contract
covenant not to compete
a contractual promise of one party to refrain from competing with another party for a certain geographical area
unconscionable
a contract or clause that is void on the basis of public policy because on party, as a result of his or her disproportionate bargaining power, is forced to accept terms that are unfairly burdensome and that unfairly benefit the dominating party
exculpatory clause
a clause that releases a contractual party from liability in the event of monetary or physical injury, no matter who is at fault
defenses to enforceability
- voluntary consent
2. form
Voluntary consent elements
- fraud
- mistake
- duress
form elements
statute of frauds