Consideration Flashcards
What is the significance of existing obligations in relation to consideration?
Existing obligations generally cannot be considered as good consideration for a new contract between parties. However, there are exceptions where an existing obligation can be good consideration, such as when the new contract provides a practical benefit and certain criteria are satisfied.
What are the three elements required for a binding contract?
The three elements required for a binding contract are offer and acceptance, intention to create legal relations, and consideration.
What are the requirements for promissory estoppel to operate?
For promissory estoppel to operate, there must be a clear and unequivocal promise or representation that is intended to affect legal relations. The promisee must have relied upon that promise or representation, and the reliance must put the promisee in a worse position than if the promise had never been made. Detrimental reliance is not always required for promissory estoppel to apply.
Under what circumstances can an existing obligation be considered as good consideration for a new contract
An existing obligation can be considered as good consideration for a new contract if it constitutes a practical benefit and certain criteria are satisfied. This was established in the case of Williams v Roffey, where the defendants promised additional payment to the plaintiff to ensure timely completion of the work, which provided a practical benefit to the defendants.
What is the difference between executory and executed consideration?
Executory consideration refers to promises made by contracting parties to perform something in the future after the contract has been formed. Executed consideration, on the other hand, is where the consideration has already been performed at the time of contract formation.
What are the exceptions to the rule that existing obligations cannot be good consideration?
There are various exceptions to the rule that existing obligations cannot be good consideration. For example, a promise to do something that a party is already obliged to do pursuant to an obligation owed to a third party can be good consideration. Additionally, carrying out a public duty imposed by the law will generally not amount to sufficient consideration.
Can past consideration be valid in a contract?
In general, consideration must not be past. It cannot have taken place prior to the promise to pay. However, there is an exception to this rule when some prior act or service was provided by the promisee at the promisor’s request and it was always understood that payment would be made for that act or service.
What factors do the courts consider when deciding whether to grant the defense of promissory estoppel?
In exercising their discretion, the courts will look at the conduct of both parties to determine whether it would be just and equitable to grant the defense of promissory estoppel.
What is the rule in Foakes v Beer and when does it apply?
The rule in Foakes v Beer states that if a promise of the creditor to accept a lesser sum is unsupported by fresh consideration from the promisee, the agreement is unsupported by consideration. However, if a new element is introduced at the creditor’s request, such as payment at a different place or time, or by providing a different thing in place of money, it will amount to good consideration.
What is the legal position when a promisor resumes their full legal rights after giving reasonable notice?
When a promisor resumes their full legal rights after giving reasonable notice, the right to full payment is brought back to life. Promissory estoppel suspends the right to full payment, but it can be revived by reasonable notice.
What are the conditions for the exception to the rule of past consideration?
The three conditions for the exception to the rule of past consideration are: (a) the act must have been done at the promisor’s request, (b) the parties must have understood that the act was to be rewarded either by a payment or the conferment of some other benefit, and (c) the payment or conferment of other benefits must have been legally enforceable had it been promised in advance.
What is promissory estoppel and how does it relate to the rule of part payment of a debt?
Promissory estoppel is commonly relied upon to create an exception to the rule that part payment of a debt without fresh consideration does not discharge the debt obligation. It allows for the enforcement of a promise made by one party to another, even if there is no consideration, if the promisee has relied on the promise to their detriment.
What is the practical benefit in the context of consideration?
The practical benefit refers to the advantage or benefit that one party obtains from the performance of an existing obligation by the other party. In the case of Williams v Roffey, the defendants obtained a practical benefit by avoiding late completion penalties and maintaining an efficient working arrangement.
What is the legal position when a client requests work to be carried out without discussing payment beforehand?
If the client requested the work to be carried out and both parties understood that the act was to be rewarded, the gardener is entitled to payment. The exception to the past consideration under Pao On v Lau Yiu Long [1979] UKPC 17 is particularly relevant in this scenario.
Why does consideration not need to be adequate in a contract?
According to the doctrine of freedom of contract, the courts will not interfere with a bargain freely reached by the parties. It is not the court’s duty to assess the relative value of each party’s contribution to the bargain. Therefore, consideration does not need to be adequate as long as there is something of value exchanged.
What is the significance of factual consideration in the context of contracts?
Factual consideration refers to a consideration that acknowledges that nothing new is being promised, but the party in receipt of the promise is still getting something out of the reshaped deal. It is distinguished from legal consideration and recognizes that a party may receive a practical benefit from the agreement, even if there is no new promise or consideration.
What is the effect of promissory estoppel on the right to periodic payments?
The right to periodic payments may resume once the period over which promissory estoppel operates ceases. Alternatively, the promisor may resume their full legal rights after giving reasonable notice of their intention to do so.
What is the role of economic duress in the enforceability of promises?
Economic duress is a concept that can render a promise unenforceable if it is obtained by economic force or pressure. In cases where economic duress is present, the court may find that the promise lacks the necessary consent and therefore cannot be enforced.