Contracts Flashcards
What does every contract modification require under common law?
New consideration
What is consideration?
A bargained for exchange of something of legal value
What is the preexisting legal duty rule?
The promise to perform a legal duty already owed to a promisor is not consideration
When do courts allow modification without new consideration?
If the modification is fair and equitable, in view of circumstances not anticipated when the contract was made
What does the UCC require for contract modification?
Contract modifications sought in good faith are binding without consideration
What is good faith for ucc contract modification purposes?
Honesty in fact and the observance of reasonable commercial standards
What is economic duress?
- a party threatens to perform a wrongful act that would seriously threaten the other party’s property or finances and
- there are no adequate means to prevent the threatened loss.
What is sufficient to allow enforcement of an oral contract for the sale of real property
Seller conveys property to the buyer. Some jurisdictions require 2/3 payment, possession, and/or valuable consideration
In a contract for a sale of goods worth $500 or more, what behavior will enforce a contract without writing?
If the goods are received and accepted by the buyer and paid for
Define Specially manufactured goods
Goods not suitable for resale in the ordinary course of the sellers business, and the seller has made a substantial beginning of their manufacture, or commits for their procurement
Under the UCC a contract is enforceable, despite the absence of writing…
To the extent of the goods accepted
In a single delivery contract, if a seller cures in the proper amount of time, must a buyer accept the cured goods?
Yes, after a cure within the proper time, the buyer must accept the goods
When can a seller get extra time to cure nonconforming goods?
When prior dealings with the buyer, make the seller believe that the goods would be acceptable. The seller can notify the buyer and provide the goods within a reasonable time
Do courts allow specific performance for service contracts?
No, courts view such remedies as tantamount to slavery and the assumption is that the person wouldnt do a good job if they were forced to do a job.
What type of special relief can a court grant a non breaching party for a rare or unique service?
Injunctive relief, they can prevent the breaching party from doing something for someone else (ex. basketball contracts).
What is the equitable defense of sale to a bona fide purchaser?
If a subject matter involved in a goods or land contract is sold to another in good faith and for value, specific performance is cut off.
What is one way a buyer can obtain specific performance for goods?
If the goods are unique or in short supply.
Define Merchant
One who regularly deals in the type of goods sold in the subject transaction or otherwise holds themself out to have special knowledge or expertise as to the goods involved
Requirements for a real estate contract
A real estate contract must include
1. An identification of the land
2. The price
Requirement for a sale of goods contract
The quantity
Requirement for an employment contract
Duration of employment
What is required for an indirect revocation of an offer?
Offeree recieves:
1. Correct information
2. From a reliable person
3. Of acts of offeror that would indicate to a reasonable person that the offeror no longer wants to make the offer
Define Merchant’s firm offer
Under UCC:
1. A merchant
2. Offers to buy or sell goods in a signed writing.
3. Writing gives assurances that it will be held open during the time stated, but if no time is stated, not to exceed 3 months
When does a unilateral contract become irrevocable?
When the offeree begins performance. Substantial preparations to perform do not make it irrevocable.
What is the UCC rule for battle of the forms if both parties are merchants?
Additional terms in the acceptance will be included in the contract unless:
1. They materially alter the original terms (ex changing risk or remedy),
2. Offer expressly limits acceptance to the terms of the offer, OR
3. The offeror has already objected to the terms or objects in a reasonable time
What is the UCC battle of the forms rule if only one or no merchants are negotiating?
To add new terms, the offeror must expressly agree