Contracts Flashcards
Condition Precedent
If contracting parties expressly agree to a condition precedent—an uncertain future event that must occur before a party’s obligation to perform arises—then performance is not due until the condition is fully satisfied.
This makes performance NOT DUE, does NOT mean K has been breached.
Mutual Mistake Elements
K generally voidable by party adversely affected if:
(1) mistake existed when K was formed
(2) mistake relates to basic assumption of K
(3) mistake has material impact on transaction, and
(4) adversely affected party did not assume the risk of mistake
NEITHER party can avoid K if mistake can be cured
Pre-existing Duty Rule MODERN THIRD PARTY EXCEPTION
Consideration exists if preexisting duty owed to THIRD PERSON (ie non party to contract).
Promissory Estoppel
Consideration Substitute
Promise to Gift
Under the doctrine of promissory estoppel, a party’s promise to make a gift is enforceable if (1) the promisor should reasonably expect the promisee to rely on the promise, (2) the promisee detrimentally relies on the promise, and (3) injustice can be avoided only by enforcement of the promise.
UCC SOF Exception for Payment
the statute of frauds does not apply when payment for the goods has been made and accepted.
Restitution
Restitution allows the plaintiff to recover the benefit conferred upon the defendant.
Intended Third Party Beneficiary
Definition
Someone who receives a direct benefit from the contract because the contracting parties so intended (ex: the contract provides that payment will go directly to a third party)
UCC Installment Canceling Rest of Contract After Nonconforming Tender
When there is a nonconforming tender or a tender of nonconforming goods under one segment of an installment contract, the buyer may cancel the contract only if the nonconformity substantially impairs the value of the entire contract to the buyer.
UCC Irrevocable Firm Offer Requirements
(1) The offeror is a merchant
(2) There is a promise that the offer is to remain open
(3) The promise is contained in a signed writing from the offeror
Rights of an assignee
Takes all the rights of the assignor as in the contract.
Also takes subject to any defenses that could be raised.
Risk of Loss: Shipment By Carrier
Risk of loss shifts from buyer to seller once the goods are delivered to the carrier.
Employment Contract
A contract to employ someone for an indefinite or permanent duration typically creates an at-will employment relationship.
At-will employment allows either party to terminate the employment contract at any time for any reason.
Material Breach Damages
Nonbreaching party can withhold any promised performance and pursue remedies for breach, including damages.
What is the UCC Perfect Tender Rule?
Perfect goods and perfect delivery in accordance with the K
Subcontractor’s Bid
A subcontractor’s bid is considered an outstanding offer, so a general contractor is not bound to accept the sub-bid—even if the general contractor is awarded the general contract.
Mistake–Unilateral
One side is mistaken as to essential element of K
Mistaken party can void K if he didn’t bear risk of mistake and either:
(1) mistake would make enforcement of K unconscionable or (2) non-mistaken party caused the mistake, failed to disclose mistake, or knew/should have known the other party was mistaken
To modify a contract for a service, need…:
NEED EXTRA Consideriation
In a sale of goods for which there was a written offer and a written purported acceptance, if there is not a contract but the parties act as if there is, which of the following is TRUE?
Terms on which both writings agree become part of the contract
UCC Evidence Hiearchy
Greatest priority to lowest: express terms, course of performance, course of dealings, trade usage
Damages for Substantial Performance (Minor Breach)
A party who substantially performs contractual obligations can generally recover the contract price minus any cost that the nonbreaching party incurred to receive full performance
What is a Incidental Beneficiary?
Someone who benefits from a contract even if there was no intent to benefit them.
They have no rights to enforce the contract.
Parol Evidence Rule Exceptions
Situations in which the PER does not apply to bar earlier evidence:
(1) defense to formation (duress, fraud, mistake, etc.)
(2) second separate deal
(3) prior communication designed to interpret an amigious term
(4) SUBSEQUENT modifications
(5) condition precedent to effectiveness
UCC Mailbox Rule as to Firm Offers
Mailbox rule does NOT apply to firm offers, options, or other irrevocable offers.
Under the UCC, a merchant’s offer to sell goods is firm (i.e., irrevocable) if it is made in a signed writing that assures that the offer will remain open.
Acceptance of a firm or otherwise irrevocable offer is effective only if it is received by the offeror before the offer expires.
Mailbox Rule
Acceptance effective when sent UNLESS
Acceptance sent by mail is effective when the letter is sent.
UNLESS:
(1) offeree sends something else back first like rejection (first received is effective)
(2) does not apply to option contracts
Donee Beneficiary
A donee beneficiary is a intended beneificiary of a gift promise.
Donee beneficiary can generally only sue the promisor because the promisee is under no obligation to the donee beneficiary.
BUT the donee beneficiary may also sue the promisee if: (1) the promisee told the donee beneficiary about the contract, (2) the promisee should have reasonably foreseen reliance, and (3) the donee beneficiary justifiably and detrimentally relied on the contract.
MINORS
Lack capacity to contract under age 18. Contract is voidable by the minor
So the minor can either:
(1) void the contract before or soon after turning 18 by (i) disaffirming the contract and (ii) returning any still-existing benefit under the contract OR
(2) can ratify the contract after turning 18 by keeping the benefits of the contract or otherwise agreeing to be bound by it–eg, by attempting to render performance of or payment under the contract.
UCC PER Consistent Terms
The UCC presumes that a writing is partially integrated, so extrinsic evidence of additional consistent terms is admissible unless the parties “certainly” would have included the terms in the written contract.
However, contradictory terms are not admissible.
Warranty of Fitness for a Particular Purpose Requirements
Implied whenever the seller has reason to know that (1) the buyer has a particular use for the goods, and (2) the buyer is relying upon the seller’s skill/expertise to select a good.
A disclaimer must be in writing and be conspicuous.
Buyer’s duty of good faith & fair dealing under requirements contract
A requirements contract is an exclusive agreement between a buyer and a seller for the sale of as many goods as the buyer requires during a specified period.
The buyer’s purchase of the goods from another seller violates the implied duty of good faith and fair dealing and constitutes a breach of contract.
UCC Additional Terms
1 or less parties are merchants
effective unless it is expressly conditioned on the offeror’s assent to the new terms.
New/different terms are treated as proposed additions to the K that must be separately accepted by offeror.
Unilateral Mistake Simplified
When one party is mistaken as to an essential element of the contract, the mistaken party can void the contract if she did not bear the risk of mistake and the non-mistaken party caused the mistake, had a duty to disclose or failed to disclose the mistake, or knew or should have known that the other party was mistaken.
Quasi in Rem
A “quasi in rem” remedy is effective against a defendant in reference to property, while an “in personam” remedy is effective against a defendant directly.
In personam remedies are available for most causes of action, including quasi-contract. A plaintiff can recover in quasi-contract—despite having no contractual relationship with the defendant—if the plaintiff conferred a non-gratuitous and measurable benefit on the defendant that resulted in unjust enrichment because:
- the defendant had the opportunity to decline the benefit but knowingly accepted it or
- the plaintiff had a reasonable excuse for not giving the defendant an opportunity to decline.
UCC Nonconforming goods
What can the buyer do
Buyer can accept or reject nonconforming goods in whole or in part and, in either event, recover damages for breach.
Bilateral K notice
Offeree must give notice of acceptance
Mailbox Rule
Revocation
Revoking acceptance is effective upon receipt
Implied Warranty of Merchantability Defect Disclaimer
warranty may be disclaimed for defects that an examination would have revealed if, before entering the contract, the buyer examined the goods as fully as desired or refused to examine them.
(Gratuitous) Assignment Automatic Revocation
A gratuitous assignment—i.e., an assignment that is not supported by consideration—is automatically revoked upon the death, incapacity, or bankruptcy of the assignor.
Installment Contract Payment
Payment by the buyer is due upon EACH delivery unless the price cannot be apportioned.
What is a Output Contract?
Seller agrees to sell all that she manufactures of a product to the buyer