Contracts Flashcards
What is the predominant purpose test?
The predominant purpose controls whether an indivisible contract for goods and services is governed under common law or the UCC. The issue turns to the predominant purpose of the contract.
What is a contract?
A legally enforceable agreement
What is required for contract formation?
Mutual assent (typically offer and acceptance) and consideration.
The test for contract intent is?
Objective–Would a reasonable person believe there was assent
What terms are required for a contract?
Under the common law, a contract must contain essential terms.
Under he UCC, the onnnnnly essential term is price, other terms may be supplied by the court.
Missing contract term
Under the common law, the court may supply a missing contract term consistent with the parties wishes if there was clear intent to form a contract.
Under the UCC, the court may supply any term other than quantity.
What is an invitation to deal
An invitation to deal stops short of a true offer, it may be in inquiry or other more ambiguous language. typically includes advertisements.
What terminates an offer
- Death or offeror
- Reasonable amount of time
- Revocation
- Rejection
- Counteroffer
- Illegality
What is required for an option contract
At common law, an option contract must be supported by independent consideration
Requirements for UCC firm offer
- Offorer is a merchant
- There is assurance the offer will remain open
- A signed writing (signature is not a precise requirement in this case, ie initials or letter head).
- Maximum of three months, or reasonable time if not specified
Who is a UCC Merchant
A merchant is a person who regularly deals in the goods in question.
Elements of Promissory Estoppel
- Promise, which is likely to induce action or forbearance.
- The promise does induce such action
- injustice requires enforcement
How can you accept an offer
By the means specified in the offer. The offeror is the master of the offer.
When can you revoke a unilateral offer
prior to partial performance
What is the mailbox rule?
An acceptance is valid when mailed. Does not apply to revocations, or options contracts
What is the mirror image rule
At common law, the acceptance must mirror the offer in terms. Any change of terms is considered a counter offer
UCC mirror imager rule?
No, under the UCC additional or conflicting terms may still be an acceptance unless the offer was specific in requiring the initial terms.
What is the battle of the forms
Under the UCC< if both parties are merchants, than an additional term in the acceptance is automatically included unless:
- the term materially alters the contract
- the offer expressly limits additional terms
- the offeror objects to the additional term within a reasonable period of time.
When does a term “materially alter” a contract
When the term results in surprise or hardship or otherwise seriously changes the nature of the agreement.
When is an auction sale made into a contract?
An auction sale closes at the fall of the hammer.