Contracts Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the Applicable Law?
-The UCC
-Common Law
-Mixed Contracts
-types of contracts

A

The UCC: UCC Article 2 governs the sale of goods, with applicable rules also for merchants

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2
Q

Common law

A

the majority rules governing contracts other than the sale of goods

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3
Q

mixed contracts

A

are determined by the more important part of the deal, except divided contracts in which both UCC and common law rules might apply.

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4
Q

types of contracts: unilateral contracts

A

offer expressly required performance as the method for acceptance

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5
Q

divisible contracts

A

performance is divided into 2+ parts under the contract; the number of parts due from each party is the same; and performance between the parties is equivilent

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6
Q

option contract

A

agreement to leave open in exchange for consideration

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7
Q

Ads

A

generally a preliminary proposal unless words are to identifiable person, eg. first come first serve

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8
Q

quasi-contract

A

equitable remedy when the contract results are unfair. Prevents unjust enrichment.

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9
Q

Contract Formation Problems:
-offer: requirements; content

A

-requires:
(1) a manifestation of a present intent to contract demonstrated by a promise, undertaking or commitment;
(2) definite and certain terms; and
(3) communicated to an identified offeree

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10
Q

offer: content

A

-UCC Sale of Goods: description + quantity (price not needed)
-requirement contract: terms of exclusivity
-real estate: ID of land and price
-employment: duration

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11
Q

Contract Formation: Termination:
-revocation

A

an unambiguous statement by the offeror to the offeree OR unambiguous conduct indicating an unwillingness to contract that oferee is aware of.

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12
Q

revocation of option contract

A

no revocation

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13
Q

revocation of firm offer

A

UCC: offer can’t be revoked for up to 3 months if the offer to buy or sell goods, signed written promise to keep open and party is a merchant

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14
Q

detrimental reliance

A

no revoke if reasonable foreseeable detrimental reliance

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15
Q

start of performance

A

offer is irrevocable once performance has started

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16
Q

rejection

A

-counteroffers kill;
-additional terms under CL mirror image rule;
-lapse of time, eg. more than 1 month;
-conditional acceptance kill

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17
Q

Problems in Formation: Acceptance
-definition

A

A manifestation of assent to the terms of an offer in the manner prescribed or authorized by the offer

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18
Q

full performance

A

the contracting party has fulfilled every duty required by the contract. A completely performing party is entitled to a complete performance by the other party.

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19
Q

start performance

A

for bi-lateral contract, but not for unilateral contract

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20
Q

mailbox rule

A

acceptance is effective when mailed, all else is effective when received.

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21
Q

The seller of goods sends the wrong goods

A

unless with an explanation (then it’s a counteroffer)

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22
Q

offeree promise to perform

A

Acceptance by a promise requires that the offeree complete every act essential to the making of the promise

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23
Q

Additional Terms

A

-CL Mirror Image Rule;
-UCC: If one party is a merchant: then additional term is a proposal which is subject to a separate rejection;
—If both parties are merchants: additional term is party of the contract unless it materially alters, the offeror objects within a reasonable time, or the offer limits acceptance to the terms

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24
Q

Formation Problems: Consideration
-definition

A

Requires a bargained-for exchange of legal detriment between parties

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25
Q

past consideration

A

-not consideration, except expressly requested performance / forbearance and expectation of payment
-new consideration required for pre-existing contract or statutory duty: except in CL, unforeseen difficulty, 3rd party promise or promise to pay debt barred by SoL

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26
Q

substitutes for consideration

A

-written promise when prior obligation had applicable legal defense
-promissory estoppel

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27
Q

Defenses to Formation of Contract:
-incapacity

A

under 18 has a right to disaffirm contract unless the minor retains benefit after gaining capacity (eg. keeps the car after turning 18)

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28
Q

illegality

A

-if the subject matter is illegal: then the contract is void
-if the subject matter is legal but the purpose is illegal: then the contract is enforceable only by person who didn’t know of the illegal purpose

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29
Q

public policy

A

covenant not to compete, exculpatory clause

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30
Q

misrepresentation / nondisclosure

A

innocent party may rescind if induced to enter into the contract by fraudulent misrepresentation OR nonfraudulent material misrepresentation

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31
Q

duress

A

-improper threat and no reasonable alternative

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32
Q

unconscionability

A

unfair surprise and oppressive terms at the time of contracting

33
Q

ambiguity / misunderstanding

A

-each party uses a material term open to 2 reasonable interpretations;
-each party attaches a different meaning to a term;
-neither party knows or has reason to know the term is subject to 2 interpretations causing ambiguity

34
Q

mistake

A

-no contract is MUTUAL mistake on basic assumption of fact that materially affects the agreen upon exchange and not a risk that either party bears
-unilateral mistake: not voidable unless other party knew or should have known

35
Q

Statute of Frauds:
-applies to MY LEGS

A

-applies to Marriage; Year; Land; Executory guarantee; sale of Goods less than $500; Suretyships

36
Q

how to satisfy the Statute of Frauds

A

-satisfy by performance, writing, or judicial admission
-in real estate: part performance requires 2 out of the following 3: payment; possession; or improvements

37
Q

writing requirements

A

-non UCC: parties; subject matter; terms & conditions; consideration; signature
-UCC: quantity terms and signature, unless confirmatory memo of oral contract AND no objection within 10 days

38
Q

Contract Formation Problems: Terms
-parole evidence rule

A

-integration issues
-merger clause is highly persuasive but not determinative
-no PE to reform or contradict WRITTEN terms, unless there’s a mistake in integration
-PE ok to argue defense to enforcement, explain ambiguous terms, to provide additional terms if only partial integration, or additional terms would ordinarily by in a separate agreement

39
Q

conduct

A

-course of performance: same people, same contract;
-course of dealing: same people, similar contract
-custom and usage: different people, similar contract

40
Q

UCC default: delivery obligation and FOB

A

-delivery obligation: either Shipment contracts or Destination contracts;
-FOB: “free on board”
-If city is where the seller is located: then shipment contract
-if the buyer’s city: then destination contract

41
Q

risk of loss

A

-determined by agreement, breach (even slight) shifts the risk of loss
-delivery by a common carrier: shipment contract: then risk of loss to buyer when seller delivers to carrier
-destination contract: risk of loss to the buyer when the seller delivers to the buyer

42
Q

risk of loss: no agreement

A

-merchant seller: risk of loss to buyer on receipt of goods
-non-merchant seller: risk of loss to buyer upon tender
-if risk of loss is on buyer: then the buyer pays the fill contract price
-if the risk of loss is on seller: then possible liability on seller for non-performance

43
Q

express warranties

A

-UCC: seller liable for breach (statements of fact, promises, description of goods, etc.)

44
Q

implied warranty of merchantability

A

-if dealing in goods of that kind and FITNESS for a particular purpose if seller has reason to know of purpose and reliance on seller
*ALL contracts have an implied warranty of good faith and fair dealing

45
Q

Performance Problems:
-breach of contract

A

-breach of contract occurs any time a party refuses to perform under the terms of the agreement
-such breaches are categorized as either material or minor, with material breaches excusing the other party from performance

46
Q

Sale of goods:
-perfect tender

A

if sale of goods, Seller’s performance must be perfect or Buyer can reject

47
Q

rejection of goods: options; cure

A

-retain and sue for damages or reject all of commercial unit and sue for damages
-cure: Seller has a second chance at perfect tender if:
—Seller has reasonable ground to believe the delivery would be accepted OR
—-the time to perform has not yet expired

48
Q

installment contract

A

Buyer can reject installment only if there’s a substantial impairment that can’t be cured

49
Q

acceptance of goods

A

-if accepted goods, Buyer can’t later reject
-payment doesn’t equal acceptance without an opportunity to inspect
-implied acceptance if Buyer keeps for a reasonable amount of time

50
Q

revocation
*differences in common law too

A

-if Buyer hasn’t accepted the goods, Buyer may cancel the contract by revoking acceptance IF:
—nonconformity substantially impairs the value of the goods;
—-excusable ignorance of grounds for revocation or reasonable reliance on Seller’s assurance; and
—revocation within a reasonable time after discovering the nonconformity
***Common Law: substantial performance

51
Q

Excuse for non-performance? Performance is excused if:
-improper performance

A

-excused if improper performance by the other guy - material breach

52
Q

-non-occurrence of a condition

A

non-occurrence of a condition- mutually agreed promise requiring strict compliance

53
Q

-anticipatory repudiation: options

A

-effect:
-excuse the relying party from performance and immediately sue for damages (not available if fully performed)
-suspend performance and wait for performance date to sue
-treat repudiation as an offer to rescind and treat the contract as discharged
-retraction of anticipatory repudiation is ok if the other party hasn’t MATERIALLY changed position

54
Q

insecurity

A

if reasonable grounds, relying party can demand adequate assurance AND may suspend performance

55
Q

Later Contracts:
-rescission

A

only if performance has not been completed

56
Q

accord and satisfaction

A

a mutual agreement of existing obligation to accept different performance OR by acceptance of a check marked “paid in full”

57
Q

modification: definition; Common Law; UCC

A

-mutual agreement to accept different agreement to satisfy existing contract
-Common Law: new consideration is needed to modify
-UCC: not needed to modify, but must show good faith for needing modification

58
Q

novation

A

mutual agreement to substitute an existing party with another, excusing the performance of the substituted party

59
Q

Later Unforeseen Event:
-impossibility

A

can’t be done (damage, destruction, death, subsequent law or regulation)

60
Q

impracticability

A

can’t be done without extreme AND unreasonable difficulty OR expense. (increase in seller cost is rarely an excuse)

61
Q

frustration of purpose

A

unforeseeable supervening event that destroys the PURPOSE of the contract

62
Q

What are the Remedies?: Non-Monetary Remedies (In Rem)
-specific performance

A

-typically limited to real estate, sale of unique goods, but never for services
-requirements: valid contract; conditions are satisfied; inadequacy of legal remedies; mutuality; feasibility of enforcement

63
Q

rescission

A

-cancels the contract
-requirements: grounds for recession (eg. mutual mistake or unilateral mistake if non-mistaken party would suffer undue hardship or knew of the mistake)
*no negligence

64
Q

reformation

A

-changes the written agreement to conform to the parties’ original understanding
-requirements: valid contract; grounds for reformation; no negligence; SoF; PER

65
Q

reclamation

A

-right of an unpaid seller to get the goods back
-only if Buyer was insolvent as the time of receipt AND Seller makes demand for return within 10 days of Buyer’s receipt OR reasonable time if Buyer gives express representation; AND Buyer has the goods at the time of the demand

66
Q

rights of good faith purchaser in entrustment

A

-the owner entrusts the goods to a person who sells that kind of good AND the person wrongfully sells to 3rd party
-GFP cuts off the right of the original owner

67
Q

What are the Remedies: Monetary Damages
-expectation interest

A

puts the Plaintiff in the position as if the contract wasn’t breached

68
Q

reliance interest

A

puts the Plaintiff in the same dollar position as if contract wasn’t breached

69
Q

restitution interest

A

prevent Defendant’s unjust enrichment

70
Q

Damages for Sale of Goods

A

-Seller breaches / Buyer keeps the goods: difference between the value of the goods delivered and the fair market value had they been perfect.
-Seller breaches / Seller keeps: the difference between the contract price and either market price or cost of replacement
-Buyer Breach / Buyer keeps: Seller recovers the contract price
-Buyer breaches / Seller keeps: difference between market and contract price

71
Q

Additional Damages:
-incidental

A

the cost for finding replacement

72
Q

foreseeable consequential damages

A

damages from Plaintiff’s special circumstances, only if Defendant had REASON to know of special circumstances

73
Q

Limitations on Damages:
-avoidable damages
-certainty

A

-avoidable damages: Plaintiff must mitigate
-certainty: the loss must be proved with reasonable certainty

74
Q

Third Party Rights and Obligations:
-3rd party beneficiaries

A

-Incidental TPB don’t have contract rights, only INTENDED TPB’s do
-no cancellation or modification after TPB’s rights have vested by either relying, assenting or suing for enforcement

75
Q

assignment of rights

A

-when one party transfers rights under a contract to an assignee
-language is important: if the contract states “rights under this contract are NOT assignable” then the assignment is still VALID
-Assignor is liable for breach BUT assignee who doesn’t know of prohibition can enforce
-If contract states “all assignments under this contract are VOID” then the assignments are INVALIDATED

76
Q

gratuitous assignment

A

can be revoked; last gratuitous assignment wins

77
Q

assignment for consideration

A

-no recovery from obligor
-assignor implies warranty that right exists, right is not subject to any defenses, assignor won’t do anything to impair value of assignment
*first assignment for consideration wins

78
Q

delegation

A

-allowed unless the contract prohibits delegation, the contract calls for special skills, or the contract has very special reputation
-if a 3rd party doesn’t perform, the delegating party ALWAYS remains liable
-delegatee liable ONLY if she receives consideration from delegating party, in which delegatee is liable to delegating party AND obligee