Contracts Flashcards
Choice of law
UCC for the sale of movable goods, common law for services, land contracts, and everything else
Contract Formation
Offer, acceptance, and consideration
Offer
An offer is an objective manifestation of willingness to be bound to reasonably certain terms communicated to the offeree which creates the power of acceptance in the offeree.
Revocation
Revocation is an action by the offeror which terminates the power of acceptance.
Types of Non-revocable Offers
Option K (common law), firm offers (UCC)
Option K
At common law, an option contract is a promise to hold the offer open, which is enforceable if supported by consideration.
Firm Offer
Under the UCC, a written promise to keep the offer open for a period of time, signed by a merchant, creates an irrevocable firm offer
Rejection
A rejection is an action by the offeree which terminates the power of acceptance
Counteroffer
A counteroffer acts as a rejection of the original offer and acts as a new offer
Acceptance
An objective manifestation of agreement to be bound by the offeror’s term by an offeree with the power of acceptance.
Mailbox rule
Under the mailbox rule, acceptance is effective when sent
Mirror image rule
Under common law, acceptance must mirror the terms of the offer
Deviant acceptance
The UCC permits a deviant acceptance. A definite and seasonable acceptance acts as an acceptance, even if it contains additional or different terms, unless the offeree expressly makes acceptance subject to the offeror agreeing to the additional or different terms. When one party is not a merchant, the additional or different terms are mere proposals that only become part of the contract if the offeror expressly agrees to them. Between merchants, unless they materially alter the terms or the offeror objects, additional terms become part of the contract, while conflicting terms get knocked out.
Consideration
A bargained-for exchange of benefit to the promisor or detriment to the promisee. Florida uses the legal detriment test.
Promissory estoppel
Promissory estoppel requires a promise which results in foreseeable detrimental reliance. An aggrieved party can only get reliance damages, not expectation damages.
Defenses to contract formation
Mistake, SOF, Misrepresentation, fraud, duress, undue influence, and minority.
Mistake
A mistaken belief which is a basic assumption of the contract, material, and adversely affects a party who did not assume the risk. Mistakes can be either unilateral, or mutual.
Unilateral mistake
No defense. The contract is formed unless the non-mistaken party knew or had reason to know about the other’s mistake
Mutual mistake
Total defense, results in no contract
Statute of Frauds
The SOF requires contracts which cannot be performed within a year, for the sale of land, or the sale of goods over $500 to be evidenced by a writing containing any essential terms and signed by the party to be charged
Exception to SOF
Part performance or specially manufactured goods
Misrepresentation
Misrepresentation is an untrue statement as to a material existing fact which causes a reliance
Fraud
Fraud is an intentional lie as to a material existing fact
Duress
Duress is an improper threat which leaves a party with no choice but to acquiesce
Undue influence
Undue influence is an unfair persuasion