Contracts Flashcards
If seller doesn’t deliver goods, buyer’s options
1) Benefit of the bargain: recover k - market price at breach
2) Cover: recover k - cost of replacement goods
* cover: contract in good faith and without delay
buyer’s damages for seller’s anticipatory breach
market price when learned at breach - contract price
buyer’s damages for seller’s breach of warranty
value of goods delivered - value of contracted goods + incidental/consequential
If buyer accepts nonconforming goods, buyer’s damages
Loss in value: value of goods delivered - value of contract goods
If buyer repudiates/refuses conforming goods, seller’s options
1) resale damages: k price - resale price
2) market damages: k price - market price @ delivery
3) custom goods: k price - cost to seller
4) lost volume seller: lost profits
land contracts: damages
contract price - fair market value
construction contracts, damages for owner’s breach
before completion: expected profits + costs to date
after completion: contract price
construction contracts, builder’s breach
cost of completion + compensation for delay
expectation damages (definition + use)
damages sufficient to buy substitute performance, to put the non breaching party in the position they would have had under the contract
default damages
reliance damages (definition + use)
damages sufficient to put the nonbreaching party in the position they would have as if the contract was never formed
Use if: damages are too speculative
incidental damages
expenses resulting from a breach (transportation, storage, etc.)
always recoverable
consequential damages
- damages resulting from breach based on particular needs that a reasonable person would foresee at the time of the contract, and the breaching party knew about
- damages proximately caused by a breach
Use if: buyer (sale of goods)
*for UCC goods, consequential damages must be unpreventable by cover
liquidated damages - requirements to use
- damages are hard to estimate
2. amount is a reasonable forecast (based on damages)
unilateral contract - 2 situations
1) offeror clearly indicates completion of performance is only manner of acceptance
2) offer to the public like a reward offer
requirements for a valid offer (CL)
- promise, undertaking or commitment to enter into a contract
- definite and certain terms
- communication to offeree
ways to terminate an offer
- lapse of time
- express rejection
- counteroffer (NOT a mere inquiry)
- conditional acceptance
- revocation (indirect or direct) – UNLESS an option, merchant’s firm offer, detrimental reliance, unilateral contract with performance, performance has begun
- by law: death, insanity, illegality
effect of a conditional acceptance
treat as a new offer that can’t be accepted by performance
if performance occurs, a contract is formed by the parties’ conduct, NOT based on the new terms
mailbox rule
- a rejection is effective on receipt
- an acceptance is effective on dispatch (EXCEPT options - effective on receipt)
- if reject and then accept –> whichever is received first
- if accept and then reject –> accept unless rejection arrives first and there is detrimental reliance
Merchant’s firm offer rule
- if a merchant
- offers to buy or sell goods in a signed writing
- and the writing gives assurances it will be held open
- -> offer isn’t revocable for lack of consideration during time stated, or at least 3 months
battle of the forms rules (merchants vs. non merchants)
if both parties are merchants –> new terms are added to a contract unless they materially alter the contract, the offer limits acceptance to the terms, OR the offeror objects to the new terms
–> different terms are “knocked out”
if one party is a non merchant –> new/differing terms are proposals to modify a contract; offeror must expressly agree to them (unless acceptance is conditioned on accepting new terms)
mutual mistakes - when a contract is voidable
1) mistake is on a basic assumption of the contract
2) mistake has a material effect on the agreement
3) party seeking avoidance did not assume the risk of the mistake
statute of frauds – types of contracts covered
MY LEGS
marriage
contract for term of years
land contract
executor’s promise to pay debts
sale of goods over $500*
surety
*Exceptions: SWAP
specially made goods, written confirmatory memo, admit in court the contract was made, paid for
doctrine of part performance
part performance that unequivocally indicates that the parties have contracted for the sale of land takes the contract out of the SoF
–> must have two of possession, payment, valuable improvements
parol evidence rule
any expressions made prior to or contemporaneous with an integration are inadmissible to vary the terms of the writing