Contracts Flashcards
Express Contract - Formation
Language (oral or written)
Implied Contract - Formation
Conduct
Quasi-Contract Defined
Not contract; when unenforceable contract > unjust enrichment
Bilateral Contract
Exchange of mutual promises; accepted in reasonable way
Unilateral Contract
Occurs when offeror indicates completion of performance is only manner of acceptance and where there is an offer to the public (like reward)
Offeror pays upon completion of requested act
Contract Formation - Rules - Ambiguities
Ambiguities in a contract are construed against the party preparing the contract
UCC Contracts - Apply To
Contracts for sale of goods (all things moveable to be sold)
Merchant – one who regularly deals in goods of kind sold or has profession that says they have special knowledge or skills re the practices/goods involved
Contract Formation - Requirements
Contracts require mutual assent, consideration, and no defenses
Contract Formation - Requirements - Offer
Creates power of acceptance in offeree, liability in offeror
Must create reasonable expectation that offeror willing to enter contract
Ask: expression of promise + certainty and definiteness + communication
Contract Formation - Requirements - Offer - Promise
Price quotes generally not offers unless respond to inquiry with quantity
Media > solicitation of offer; ads > mere invitations for offers
If only one party is bound to perform, promise is illusory
Contract Formation - Requirements - Offer - Certainty and Definiteness
Identification of offeree + certainty of subject matter
Requirements/output contracts > allowed if not unreasonable
Contract Formation - Requirements - Offer - Certainty and Definiteness - Land
Must identify land and price terms
Contract Formation - Requirements - Offer - Certainty and Definiteness - Goods
Quantity offered certain or capable of certainty
Contract Formation - Requirements - Offer - Certainty and Definiteness - Missing Terms
Missing terms – court can supply reasonable terms if intended to contract
* If price missing, UCC > reasonable price at time of delivery
* If time to perform missing > within a reasonable time
* BUT if material term is vague/ambiguous > not offer; too uncertain
Contract Formation - Requirements - Offer - Communication to Offeree
Offeree must have knowledge of offer
Contract Formation - Requirements - Offer - Termination - By Offeree
Lapse of Time (deadline or reasonable time)
Express rejection
Counteroffer (but inquiry wont terminate offer)
Effective upon receipt by offeror
Rejection/counter to option contract is NOT termination unless offeror detrimentally relied
Contract Formation - Requirements - Offer - Termination - By Offeror
Revocation (expressly or indirectly [info from reliable source])
Effective when received by offeree
Contract Formation - Requirements - Offer - Termination - By Offeror - Limitations on Revocation
Options – Offeree gives consideration to hold offer open
UCC – If merchant offers to buy/sell goods in signed writing and writing gives assurance it will be held open, not revokable for lack of consideration during time stated or a reasonable time (< 3 months)
If offeror reasonably expected offeree would rely to detriment and offeree does so rely, offer irrevocable as option for reasonable time
Unilateral contract – irrevocable once actual performance has begun
Bilateral contract – If indifferent re acceptance, start of performance means contract is complete and revocation is impossible
Contract Formation - Requirements - Acceptance - Who
Only the person to whom an offer is addressed has power of acceptance
Contract Formation - Requirements - Acceptance - Bilateral
May be accepted by promise or beginning performance
Acceptance must be communicated unless offer provides otherwise
Contract Formation - Requirements - Acceptance - Unilateral
Not accepted until performance is complete, notice of completion; no notice req if offeror waived or performance would come to attention
Contract Formation - Requirements - Acceptance - UCC
Offer buy goods for current/prompt shipment > promise or ship
Shipment of nonconforming goods > acceptance + breach
Battle of Forms Provision: Inclusion of different terms is effective as acceptance unless expressly made conditional on assent to these new terms
If any party not merchant > new terms do not become part w/o agree
If both parties merchants > additional terms included unless materially alter terms, offer limits acceptance, or offeror objects/ed to terms
Merchants memo confirming oral agreement w. dif terms subject to above
Contract Formation - Requirements - Acceptance - When Effective
Upon dispatch (mail) unless offer stipulates receipt
Rejection then acceptance is whichever arrives frist
Acceptance then rejection is acceptance unless rejection arrives first and offeror relies
Contract Formation - Requirements - Consideration
Bargained-for exchange of something of legal value
Promise must induce detriment and detriment induce promise
Act of forbearance must be of benefit to promisor
Contract Formation - Requirements - Consideration - Past Acts
Promise given in exchange for past acts DOES NOT count
Unless: past act benefitted & performed at promisors request OR response to emergency > promise to pay enforceable
Preexisting legal duty doesn’t count unless: new consideration, duty to third person, honest dispute re duty, or modify bc new circumstances
Contract Formation - Requirements - Consideration - Modification
Modification of a contract generally requires new consideration UNLESS;
Modification bc of unanticipated circumstances + fair/equitable OR contract is under UCC and done in good faith
Contract Formation - Requirements - Statute of Frauds - Requires
Writing w/ material terms signed by person to be held liable
Must ID subject matter, indicate between parties, and state essential terms with reasonable certainty
* For goods over $500 > quantity + D’s signature
* For services > material terms + D’s signature
Contract Formation - Requirements - Statute of Frauds - Subject Matters
Marriage – When marriage is consideration
Year – Performance impossible within one year from date of agreement
Land – Promises creating interest in land
Typically full performance removes SoF
* Executor – Exec/admin promises to pay estate debts
Goods – Goods over $500
* NOT REQUIRED IF: SWAP (specially made goods, written confirmation by merchant, admission in court, or performance)
Suretyship – Promise to answer for debt/default of another
Contract Formation - Requirements - Statute of Frauds - Modifications
Parties can orally modify contract even if contract reqs writing
UCC - Contract that reqs writing for modification is given effect
If parties try to orally modify contract that reqs writing, ineffective as a modification but can be waiver if other party changes in reliance
Contract Formation - Requirements - Statute of Frauds - Inapplicable To
Land sales – Two of three (payment, possession, improvement)
Service contract – Full performance
Sales of goods – Specially made goods, Merchant’s Confirmatory Memo, admission in court, or performance (or if goods paid for + accepted)
Estoppel – If inequitable to allow SoF defeat a meritorious claim
Contract Formation - Requirements - Statute of Frauds - Remedy for Breach
Even if void under SoF, party can sue for reasonable value of services/performance rendered or restitution of other benefit conferred
Contract Formation - Defenses - List
Lack of Capacity
Duress
Absence of Mutual Consent (misunderstanding, mistake)
Unconscionability
Statute of Frauds
Contract Formation - Defenses - Lack of Capacity
Under 18 – Cannot enter into contract binding on themselves
* Minor may choose to disaffirm a contract before reaching 18
* Minor may choose to affirm at 18 (express or by conduct)
* Contracts for necessary items > minor liable for value received
Mental incapacity – cant understand nature/significance of promise > voidable
Intoxicated – If cant understand nature/significance of promise > voidable
Contract Formation - Defenses - Duress/Undue Influence
Duress – Improper threats > voidable
Undue susceptibility to pressure + excessive pressure by other party > voidable
Contract Formation - Defenses - Absence of Mutual Consent - Misunderstanding
Misunderstanding – Contract w/ term with two+ possible meanings
* Neither party aware > no contract unless parties intend same meaning
* Both parties aware > no contract unless parties intend same meaning
* One party aware > binding contract on what ignorant party believed
Contract Formation - Defenses - Absence of Mutual Consent - Mistake - Mutual
Both parties mistaken about existing facts, voidable by adversely impacted party if:
* Mistake concerns basic assumption of contract
* Mistake has material effect on exchange
* Mistake re existence of subject matter > unenforceable
* Mistake re value of subject matter > enforcable
* Party seeking avoidance didn’t assume risk re mistake
Contract Formation - Defenses - Absence of Mutual Consent - Mistake - Unilateral
Invalidates contract if other party knew/had reason to know of mistake
Mistake must have material impact and party not born risk of mistake
Contract Formation - Defenses - Absence of Mutual Consent - Misrepresentation
Fraudulent misrepresentation > void if innocent relied on fraud
Material misrepresentation > void if innocent relies and was material
Material if induce reasonable person or this person to agree
Contract Formation - Defenses - Absence of Mutual Consent -Unconscionability
Requires: unfair surprise + oppressive terms when the contract was formed
Risk-shifting provisions > invalidated if inconspicuous or incomprehensible Contracts of adhesion > invalidated if unable to get w/o agreeing to provision
Exculpatory clauses >invalid if releasing liability for intentionally wrongful acts
Court can refuse to enforce, enforce remainder, or limit application of clause
Contract Interpretation - Parole Evidence Rule
When parties have written contract w/ intent that it be final expression > integration (intended as final expression of agreement + intended to be complete)
Other expressions made prior or oral expressions contemporaneous w/ writing are inadmissible to vary terms of the writing
Contract Interpretation - Parole Evidence Rule - Partial Integrations
Writing may be supplemented w/ consistent add’tl terms
UCC presumes all writings are only partial integrations
Contract Interpretation - Parole Evidence Rule - Evidence Outside of Rule
Validity issues: formation defects (fraud, duress, etc.) or conditions precedent to effectiveness.
Naturally omitted terms doctrine – allows evidence of terms that would naturally be omitted (does not conflict with writing + concerns a subject that parties would not ordinarily be expected to include in writing)
Interpretation: to aid in reaching clarity as to meaning of uncertain terms
Showing true consideration paid
Facts entitling person to reformation of contract (like mistake)
Subsequent modifications of written contract
UCC: Adding consistent additional terms; explain terms by evidence of performance, course of dealing, and usage of trade
Contract Interpretation - UCC - Gap Filler Terms
Price – Reasonable price at time for delivery
Place of delivery – Seller’s place of business
Time for shipment/delivery – Reasonable time
Time for payment – Time and place at which buyer is to receive goods