CML - Module 5-7 Flashcards
if a contract is not valid?
- doesn’t meet all requirements
- void = court will not enforce it
- contract does not exist
requirements (1-4) of a valid contract?
- parties must have contractual capacity
- parties must have serious intention to contract
- they must comm their intention with each other
- parties must be of the same mind (no mistakes / misunderstandings)
general rule of capacity?
everyone has contractual capacity – can enter into legal / binding agreements they want with no assistance or limitation
people with limited capacity?
- minors
- married persons
- insolvents
- intoxicated persons
- mentally ill persons
general rule for persons married ICOP?
both spouses have full capacity to contract with regard to the joint estate without consent of the other. consent is, however, sometimes needed.
alienate definition?
sell, mortgage, lease out, give away
cede definition?
manner of alienating used for intangibles
mortgage definition?
borrow money to purchase a property and you will mortgage the property as security for that loan
pledge definition?
use something a security
formal consent definition?
written, signed, two witnesses
surety definition?
person borrows money. their spouse can sign stand surety for the loan, so that if they can’t pay it the borrower can claim from their spouse
formal consent needed for ICOP?
- to alienate / mortgage immovables
- to enter into contract as a credit receiver (can still ratify)
- to bind themselves a surety
when is formal consent not required ICOP?
(if it is part of spouse’s ordinary course of trade)
- to enter into contract as a credit receiver
- to bind themselves a surety
written consent definition?
written, signed, no witnesses
written consent needed for ICOP?
- to alienate, cede, pledge financial assets / inv assets
- to alienate / pledge capital assets
- withdraw money held in other spouse’s name
(can all get consent through ratification)
informal consent?
verbal, cannot be proven
when is informal consent needed for ICOP?
- alienating / pledging household furniture, effects
- receiving money due to the other spouse as a result of their trade, prize, inheritance
- large donations from joint estate
(can get consent through ratification)
if consents overlap?
- use most onerous consent
- requiring the most effort, difficulty
if spouse enters into a contract without required consent?
- contract = null and void
- if third party did not / could not have known that the required consent had not been given, then it is valid, to protect the innocent third party.
if one spouse unreasonably withholds consent?
the court can order that no consent is required from them
if the contracting spouse knew that the other would not consent?
- if estate suffers a loss, the other will get their share of this amount back at dissolution of the marriage
consent in marriage OCOP?
- each party has unrestricted capacity with regard to their own estate only, not the other’s
- not liable for debts incurred by the other spouse, except ones they are jointly liable for household necessities
contractual capacity of an u18 person when they get married?
no contractual capacity, but can become a major when married, regardless of age, and will gain full contractual capacity unless in COP.
what is guardianship?
the control over and admin of the estate of the minor, as well as assistance in the perf of legal acts. gained by both m&f when married, will keep even if divorced
consent of both parents is required for?
- marriage of child
- giving child up for adoption
- removal of child from SA
- application for SA passport for child
- alienation of immovable property belonging to child
if parents are never married? (guardianship)
mother is sole guardians, only her consent is needed for 1-5
when may unmarried fathers be granted the consent rights?
- if he consents to being ID’d as the father
- contributions to upbringing of child
- contributes to child maintenance
for a minor to enter into a valid contract?
must be assisted by guardian – guardian enters into contract on child’s behalf or minor enters into contract with written/verbal consent. must be given before or at the time
implied consent?
look at guardian’s conduct and they show no objection to the contract
effect of an assisted contract? (from Roman Law)
- minor is bound and liable, not guardian
- guardian incurs no personal liability
can a parent enter into a minor’s contract without their consent?
- yes
- the minor will not be bound if the contract is inherently prejudicial (substantial prejudice) and minor will need court order to get out
effect of unassisted contract in common law?
- limping contract (neither valid nor void, minor can choose with assistance whether to enforce or not. choice lies solely with minor)
- bounding if minor chooses, valid from original inception of contract
- no bounding if minor chooses not
ratification?
chooses to enforce the contract
repudiation?
chooses not to enforce
if minor chooses not to enforce unassisted contract?
- contract = void = never existed and minor can recover whatever they gave under the contract. The other party can claim what they gave us unjustified enrichment.
effect of unassisted contract in CPA?
- contract will be voidable so minor can exit with guardian assistance and get back what they gave
fraudulent misrepresentation of minors?
under CPA/comm law, contract will be unassisted and invalid. minor incurs no obligation unless ratification. minor may incur delict claim from wronged party (lying is bad) and wronged party must prove that they were reasonably deceived and suffered a loss bc.
exception for unassisted minor contracts?
16 year olds can open/operate a bank account
when is someone insolvent?
- when sequestrated by high court / bankrupt
- if not = not legally insolvent = no ltd con capacity
what happens when someone is insolvent?
their estate is placed in the hands of a trustee and they no longer have ownership of their assets and the trustee must sell them and distribute proceeds to creditors