Contract Final Flashcards
Promissory Estoppel
§90 – A fundamental principle that permits enforcement of a promise even though the legal requisites for a contract are absent. The result is not to make the contract itself enforceable, but to grant a remedy for breach that “may be limited as justice requires.”
Promissory estoppel requires that a promisee’s reliance on a promise
be reasonable.
A gratuitous (and thus unenforceable) promise is nevertheless transformed into a binding and enforceable contract if
the promisee reasonably and detrimentally relies on the promise.
An offer which the offeror should reasonably expect to induce definite and substantial reliance by the offeree, and which does induce such reliance is binding on the offeror and enforceable even without consideration if
enforcement is necessary to prevent injustice to the offeree.
Unjust enrichment exists if
a defendant received a benefit from a plaintiff and it would be unjust for the defendant to keep that benefit for free
Promise to perform a voidable duty §86
A promise made in recognition of a benefit previously received by the promisor from the promisee is binding to the extent necessary to prevent injustice.
Webb v. McGowin – A lumber mill worker was injured saving his employer from harm, prompting the employer to promise biweekly payments. After the employer’s death, the estate stopped the payments, leading the worker to sue for enforcement of the promise. The promise was enforceable
§15(2) - if the contract is made on fair terms and the other party has no reason to know of the incompetence,
performance in whole or part may so change the situation that the parties cannot be restored to their previous positions or may otherwise render avoidance inequitable.
A contract involving a mentally incapacitated individual is not inherently void, but rather
voidable
Unenforceability on the Grounds of Public Policy §178
A contract is unenforceable if its formation or performance violates public policy, unless the public policy interest is outweighed by the interests in enforcement. Factors considered include the strength of the policy, the public interest, and the parties’ expectations.
Unenforceability on the Grounds of Public Policy
§179
Public policy encompasses laws, judicial decisions, administrative regulations, and societal standards that aim to protect public welfare, morals, or economic interests.
For public policy reasons, agreements providing for future procreation are
not enforceable even if they are clear when entered.
Misrepresentation Defined §159
A misrepresentation is an assertion not in accord with the facts.
Active Concealment §160
Active concealment of a material fact is equivalent to an assertion that the fact does not exist
Duty to Disclose §161
Non-disclosure can be a misrepresentation if a party has a duty to disclose due to circumstances like fiduciary relationships or correcting a prior statement.
Material Misrepresentation §162
A misrepresentation is fraudulent if intended to induce assent or material if it would likely induce a reasonable person to agree.
Misrepresentation Preventing Assent §163
If a misrepresentation prevents a party from understanding the character or essential terms of a contract, the contract is void.
Effect of Misrepresentation §164
A contract is voidable if a party’s assent was induced by fraudulent or material misrepresentation, provided they were justified in relying on it.
- If a seller creates a condition that materially impairs the value of a contract and is within the knowledge of the seller or unlikely to be discovered by a prudent purchaser exercising due care,
nondisclosure of the condition constitutes a basis for rescission of the contract.
A disclaimer of reliance on specific representations contained in a contract bars
the use of parole evidence showing fraud.
§197 Term Exempting from Consequences of Misrepresentation
A term unreasonably exempting a party from the legal consequences of a misrepresentation is unenforceable on grounds of public policy.
Counter to Danann Realty Corp. v. Harris
Mistake of One Party §153:
A contract is voidable if one party makes a mistake about a basic assumption that has a material effect, unless they bear the risk of the mistake.
When a Party Bears the Risk of a Mistake §154
A party bears the risk of a mistake if the risk is allocated to them by agreement, they treat their limited knowledge as sufficient, or the court assigns the risk to them as reasonable under the circumstances.
A party may not rescind a contract for a mutual mistake of fact if
the party knew that the fact might not be true at the time the contract was formed.
Eisenberg v. Hall An ancient art expert bought two pieces from a dealer, both mistakenly believing they were ancient when they were modern reproductions. The buyer sought to rescind the sale, arguing mutual mistake about the age of the pieces. The seller disagreed, disputing the rescission despite having refunded the buyer for prior similar mistakes. Mutal mistake will not work if one consciously accepts and assumes the risk.
Under the UCC, a purchaser may be bound by terms included in product packaging if
the purchaser has an opportunity to review the agreement and reject it by returning the product.
Additional or different terms provided in the acceptance do not become terms of the contract unless
acceptance is made expressly conditional upon acceptance of the additional terms, or the non-merchant offeror expressly agrees to the additional terms.
Must provide reasonable notice if
consumer is to assent to terms of use.
Unconscionable Contract or Clause §2-302
Courts can address unconscionable terms in contracts by refusing enforcement, removing the clause, or limiting its application to prevent unfairness. Parties may present evidence on the contract’s commercial context to aid the court’s determination.
Unconscionable Contract or Term §208
Courts may refuse to enforce a contract, enforce it without the unconscionable term, or limit the term’s application if it is found to be unconscionable at the time the contract was made. The determination considers factors such as fairness, bargaining power, and the reasonableness of the terms.
Where an element of unconscionability is present at the time a contract is made,
the contract should not be enforced.
A contract of adhesion that
contains burdensome procedure and cost is unconscionable and will not be enforced.
The inability to read and understand an arbitration agreement does not make the agreement unconscionable and unenforceable,
as law requires it to be read to them in this event.
Punitive damages are not available as
a remedy on a breach of contract claim.
Measure of Damages in General §347
The injured party has the right to damages based on: (1) loss in value (2) any other loss, including incidental or consequential (3) any cost or other loss that he has avoided by not having to perform.
Alternatives to Loss in Value of Performance §348(2)
If breach results in defective or unfinished construction and the loss in value is not proved with sufficient certainty by the non-breaching party, he may recover damages based on (1) the diminution in the market price of the property caused by the breach or (2) the reasonable cost of completing performance or of remedying the defect if that cost is not clearly disproportionate to the probable loss in value to him.
Avoidability as a Limitation on Damages §350
Damages are not recoverable for loss that the injured party could have reasonably avoided.
The measure of damages is ordinarily the reasonable cost of performance, but it
can be limited to a diminution in value when the economic benefit is grossly disproportional.
Unforeseeability and Related Limitations on Damages §351
Limits damages to those that were foreseeable as a probable result of the breach at the time the contract was made, including damages arising from ordinary circumstances or special circumstances known to the breaching party.
The breaching party is only liable for damages that were
reasonably foreseeable at the time the contract was made.
If a reasonable probability of damages from a breach of contract can be clearly established,
uncertainty as to the amount will not preclude recovery.
Liquid damages Def
Also known as stipulated damages, an amount of damages expressly provided for by contract that is intended to represent the parties’ reasonable estimation of damages in the event of a breach. Liquidated damages may also be prescribed by statute.
Liquidated Damages and Penalties §356
Enforces liquidated damages clauses if the amount is reasonable based on anticipated or actual loss and the difficulty of estimating damages at contract formation. Clauses imposing penalties are unenforceable.