ContContract Formation Flashcards

1
Q

What is an offer?

A

An objective manifestation of a present intent to contract

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2
Q

How is an offer demonstrated?

A
  1. By a promise, undertaking, or a commitment;
  2. definite and certain terms; and
  3. communication to an offeree
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3
Q

What power does an offer create?

A

Power of acceptance in the offeree

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4
Q

What is an objective manifestation of intent?

A

the offer must give offeree a reasonable expectation that offeror is willing to enter into K;

Would a reasonable person believe the communication is an offer inviting acceptance?

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5
Q

What are required to satisfy “definite and certain terms required”?

A

Enough essential terms must be included to allow a court to enforce the K;

vague terms or terms of negotiation are not allowed;

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6
Q

What special definite terms does a real estate deal require?

A
  1. price

2. identification of land

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7
Q

What must an offer do to communicate to an offeree?

A

Offeree must know of the offer and have the power to accept it

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8
Q

Is an advertisement considered an offer?

A

Generally no unless highly specific as to quantity and clearly indicates who can accept.

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9
Q

Under the UCC, what must be certain or capable of being certain in the offer?

A

Quantity.

Also, no unreasonably disproportionate increase in quantity is allowed.

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10
Q

Are missing terms ok in the UCC offer?

A

Yes, if the parties intended to make a K and there is a reasonably certain basis for giving a remedy.

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11
Q

How may an offer be terminated?

A

An offer may be terminated by an act of a party or by an operation of law.

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12
Q

What are the three acts of parties that will terminate an offer?

A
  1. Revocation by the offeror
  2. rejection by the offeree
  3. lapse of time
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13
Q

What are the three operations of law that will terminate an offer?

A
  1. Death or insanity of either party
  2. destruction of proposed K’s subject matter
  3. supervening illegality
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14
Q

What is revocation of an offer?

A

An offeror may revoke her offer, which effectively terminates the offer and the offeree’s power of acceptance.

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15
Q

What are the two methods of revocation?

A
  1. unambiguous stmt by the offeror to the offeree
  2. offeree becomes aware of the offeror’s unambiguous conduct or statement indicating an unwillingness or inability to contract
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16
Q

When is revocation effective?

A

Upon receipt by the offeree.

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17
Q

At what point can an offer not be revoked?

A

After it’s been accepted.

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18
Q

When/what offers are irrevocable?

A
  1. option K
  2. UCC firm offers
  3. detrimental reliance by offeree
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19
Q

In a unilateral K, when does an offer become irrevocable?

A

Start of performance makes the offer irrevocable for a reasonable time to complete performance (note: start is beyond mere preparation).

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20
Q

What is the legal effect of a rejection by the offeree?

A

terminates the offer and the offeree’s power of acceptance

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21
Q

What are four methods of rejecting an offer?

A
  1. express rejection
  2. counter offer
  3. conditional acceptance
  4. acceptance with additional terms (CL only)
22
Q

What happens when the offeree makes a counteroffer?

A

It terminates the original offer and becomes a new offer; bargaining is not a counteroffer.

23
Q

When is a statement a counteroffer versus a bargain?

A

if response to an offer is a statement - counteroffer;

if response to an offer is question - bargaining

24
Q

What is the effect of conditional acceptance?

A

It terminates the original offer and becomes a new offer

Implicated by terms like “if, only if, but, provided, so long as, on condition that.

25
Q

What is the effect of acceptance with additional terms at CL?

A

Acceptance must mirror the offer; if it does not, it is a rejection

26
Q

What is the effect of acceptance with additional terms under the UCC?

A

if both parties are merchants, additional terms are a seasonable expression of acceptance if they do not materially change the offer and the offeror does not object.

27
Q

What is acceptance?

A

Clear expression of assent to the terms of the offer.

28
Q

Common law follows what rule of acceptance?

A

The mirror image rule. cannot omit or add new terms.

29
Q

Under the UCC, acceptance with additional terms is…

A

Valid unless the acceptance expressly requires assent to the different or additional terms.

30
Q

Under the UCC when both parties are merchants, additional terms become part of the K unless

A

unless they materially change the offer OR

the offeror objects within a reasonable period of time.

31
Q

How may a merchant accept an offer to buy goods?

A

a) providing a promise to ship goods (usually by written confirmation), or
b) promptly shipping conforming goods

32
Q

What is the mailbox rule?

A

Offers and acceptances transmitted via mail or other similar methods become effective upon either dispatch or receipt.

33
Q

When are offers effective?

A

upon receipt.

34
Q

When are acceptances effective?

A

Upon dispatch.

35
Q

If an offer stipulates that acceptance is not effective until received, when is the acceptance effective?

A

Upon receipt.

36
Q

In an option K, when is acceptance effective?

A

Upon receipt.

37
Q

If the offeree sends both a rejection and an acceptance, which controls?

A

The first to arrive.

38
Q

Do the mailbox rules apply to revocation?

A

No. Revocation is only effective upon receipt.

39
Q

When can an offeree accept by performance?

A

For unilateral K - complete performance
For bilateral K - by partial performance

(unless acceptance is limited by terms of the offer)

40
Q

For a unilateral K, when is the offer accepted?

A

Complete performance.

41
Q

In a unilateral k, is the offeree obligated to complete performance?

A

No. And failure to perform does not constitute breach.

42
Q

For a unilateral K, when may an offer become irrevocable?

A

Maybe after start of performance until completion.

43
Q

In a unialteral K, does the offeree have to give the offeror notice that he is starting performance?

A

No but must notify offeror within a reasonable time upon completion.

44
Q

In a bilateral K, partial performance gives rise to…

A

acceptance. Offeree must make offeror aware of acceptance.

45
Q

In an offer requiring acceptance by promise, when can it still be accepted by performance?

A
  1. the offeree begins to perform; and

2. the offeror learns that the offeree has started performance and acquiesces

46
Q

What is consideration?

A

A bargained-for legal detriment incurred by each party to a K by promise, forbearance, or performance

47
Q

What is a “bargained-for legal detriment?”

A

the promise must induce the detriment and the detriment must induce the promise.

48
Q

what is a legal detriment?

A

obligation to do or refrain from doing something one would not otherwise be obligated to do or refrain from doing.

49
Q

When can a pre-existing duty provide sufficient consideration?

A

Only when there is a new written promise to fulfill a debt obligation if the debt is barred by the SOL.

50
Q

Courts may enforce a promissory estoppel if:

A
  1. promisor reasoably expects reliance by promisee
  2. promisee acts or refrains from acting such that his reliance is detrimental, and
  3. injustice will occur without enforcement of the promise