Contracts Flashcards
Valid contract formation
1) mutual assent (offer + acceptance)
2) consideration
3) no defenses to formation
Unilateral contract
Offeror requests performance rather than a promise
once act is complete = acceptance
Offer
Must create a reasonable expectation in the offeree that offeror is willing to contract
Requirements for an offer
1) promise or commitment to enter into a K
- objective intent = RP standard
2) certain and definite essential terms
3) communication to offeree
Advertisements
NOT offers, but invitations for offers
Exceptions:
1) promise
2) certain/definite terms
3) offeree identified
Essential terms for an offer
Must be definite and certain, including:
1) offeree’s name
2) offer’s subject matter
3) price
Land sale offers must include:
1) price
2) adequate description of land (some particularity)
No offer if price is missing!
Sale of goods offers must include:
quantity being offered
Requirements contract
B promise to buy from a certain S all of the goods the B requires and S agrees to sell that amount to B
Cannot be a tender or demand for a quantity unreasonable disproportionate
Outputs contract
S promises to sell to B all the goods that S produces
Cannot be a tender or demand for a quantity unreasonable disproportionate
Termination of offer
Offer cannot be accepted after it has been terminated
- termination by act of either party OR operation of law
Termination of offer by offeree
1) lapse of time = offer terminated if not accepted within time specified or reasonable period of time (usually 1 month)
2) rejection = express or counteroffer
- counteroffer = offer made by offeree to offeror - same subject matter but differs in terms
- mere bargaining or inquiry ≠ counteroffer
3) conditional acceptance = rejection + new offer
- new terms only included if offeror expressly accepts them
Rejection of an option
Rejection or counteroffer does NOT constitute a termination –> offeree can still accept within option period UNLESS offeror detrimentally relied on rejection
Termination be offeror (revocation)
Offeror’s retraction of offer
- can revoke any time until acceptance
Indirect revocation
Offeree receives:
1) correction information
2) from a reliable source
3) of offeror’s acts indicating revocation
Direct revocation
offeror indicates to offeree directly that they have changed their mind
Revocation and rejection are effective
when received
Limitations on power to revoke
1) options = offeree gives consideration for offeror not to revoke for period of time
2) Merchant’s Firm Offer = merchant offers to buy or sell goods in a signed writing, giving assurances that it will be held open during time stated (or reasonable time)
3) detrimental reliance = foreseeable that offeree will rely to her detriment on the offer
4) beginning performance in response to unilateral K offer ≠ preparations to perform
Termination by operation of law
1) death or insanity of either party
2) destruction of proposed K’s subject matter
3) supervening illegality
To accept an offer…
Offeree must:
1) know of offer
2) accept in manner stated in offer
3) communicate acceptance
4) accept unequivocally
Offers to buy goods for current or prompt shipment
Construed as inviting acceptance by a promise to ship or current or prompt shipment of goods
Mirror image rule
CL = acceptance must consist of exact terms as offer
- otherwise = rejection and counteroffer
Acceptance of offer for unilateral K
1) completion of performance = once offeree beings performance, offer becomes irrevocable BUT not ACCEPTED until completion
2) notice = must notify within reasonable time after performance has been completed unless:
- offeror waived notice or
- completion would normally come to offeror’s attention
Acceptance by shipment of nonconforming goods
Acceptance creating a contract AND a breach, unless buyer is notified that the shipment of nonconforming goods is offered as an accommodation
- if buyer rejects = no acceptance by seller and no K –> no breach
Battle of the Forms
Inclusion of additional or different terms is an acceptance UNLESS acceptance is expressly conditioned on assent
Additional terms included if:
1) both parties are merchants
2) term is not material and
3) offeror doesn’t object within reasonable time
Different terms:
- some courts = treated as additional terms
- other courts = knock-out rule (conflicting terms if offer and acceptance are knocked out an UCC fills in any gaps left)
Merchant’s confirmatory memo
Merchant’s memo confirming an oral agreement that contains different or additional terms is subject to battle of the form provisions
Mailbox rule
Acceptance by mail is effective at the moment of dispatch UNLESS:
1) offer stipulates otherwise
2) option K is involved (only upon receipt)
3) rejection and then acceptance = which arrives first is effective
4) acceptance and then rejection = acceptance, unless rejection arrives first and offeror detrimentally relies
Consideration
1) bargained-for exchange and
2) legal value
- anything of value can be exchanged
- only needs to be valuable to the parties
- promises can be consideration
Past consideration
Promise given in exchange for something already done does NOT count for consideration
Preexisting legal duty
Performing an existing legal obligation is insufficient consideration
Exceptions to preexisting legal duty rule
1) new or different consideration is given
2) promise is to ratify a voidable obligation
3) preexisting duty owed to a third person
4) honest dispute as to duty
5) unforeseen circumstances
Modification for sale of goods Ks
A good faith agreement to modify does NOT require consideration
Modification for CL contracts
Must be supported by new consideration
Modern view = no consideration required if:
1) unanticipated circumstances
2) fair and equitable
Discharge of debts
partial payment of debt that is due and undisputed is NOT enforceable consideration
Promissory estoppel
Substitute for consideration
Enforceable if necessary to prevent injustice if:
1) promisor should reasonably expect to induce action or forbearance and
2) such action or forbearance is in fact induced
Ambiguous contract language
Neither party aware = no contract unless both parties intended same meaning
both parties aware = no contract unless both parties intended same meaning
one party aware = binding contract based on what ignorant party reasonably believes to be the meaning
Mutual mistake as to existing facts
Voidable by adversely affected party if:
1) mistake concerns basic assumption on which K is made
2) mistake has a material effect AND
3) party seeking avoidance did not assume the risk of mistake
Mutual mistake is NOT a defense if…
the party asserting mistake defense bore the risk that assumption was mistaken
Mutual mistake in value of K’s subject matter
Both parties assume risk that their assumption as to value is wrong
NOT a defense –> K enforced
Unilateral mistake
Mistake does not prevent K formation BUT if non-mistaken party knew or had reason to know of the mistake made by other party, contract is voidable by mistaken party
1) must be material
2) mistaken party must not have borne the risk of mistake
3) exception to rule = obvious mistake –> other party cannot take advantage
Fraudulent misrepresentation (fraud in the inducement)
One party induces another to enter into a K by using fraudulent misrepresentation
- voidable by innocent party if they justifiable relied on fraud
When there is misrepresentation by one party, the K is voidable by innocent party if:
1) they justifiably relied on misrepresentation AND
2) misrepresentation was material
Material misrepresentation
1) would induce a reasonable person to agree OR
2) maker knows that for some special reason it is likely to induce particular person to agree
Unconscionability
A court can modify or reuse to enforce K or a provision if:
1) unfair surprise
2) oppressive terms
Statute of Frauds
Written K required for:
- promises in consideration of marriage
- performance not capable of being performed within one year
- interests in land
- executor promises to personally pat estate debts
- goods price at $500 or more
- promises to pay another’s debt (surety)
SOF exceptions
1) contract modifications (if mod is not within SOF)
2) part performance of real estate K
3) full performance of service K
4) sale of goods if:
- specially manufactured or
- paid for or accepted
Contract modifications and SOF
Written K may be modified orally, but modification must be in writing if K as modified falls within SOF
Merchant’s confirmatory memo rule
Memo with only one signature satisfies SOF if:
1) both parties are merchants
2) they agree to K
3) one party sends writing containing quantity terms
4) no written objection by recipient within 10 days
Writing requirement for SOF (UCC and CL)
UCC:
1) quantity term
2) D’s signature (party to be charged with breach)
CL:
1) all material terms:
- named parties
- subject matter of K
2) D’s signature
Parole evidence rule
Excludes evidence of prior or contemporaneous agreements (oral or written) that contradict the final writing
- final writing = more reliable
- does not apply to oral contracts
Integrated writing
Writing intended as the final expression of the agreement
- complete integration = writing cannot be contradicted or supplemented (parol evidence rule applies)
Partial integration
Writing can not be contradicted, but CAN be supplemented with consistent additional terms
- all writings presumed partial integrations
Exceptions to parol evidence rule
1) partially integrated writing
2) defense against formation
3) explaining a vague term
4) correct a clerical error
Exceptions apply because they are not being used to contradict the writing
Validity issues outside scope of parol evidence rule
Extrinsic evidence allowed to prove that contract was never formed:
1) Formation defects
2) conditions precedent to effectiveness = all evidence of oral understanding
Effect of merger clause
Merger clause = recites that writing is complete agreement between parties
- large commercial contracts = integrated
- modern trend for most contracts = one factor in determining integration
Interpretation of vague terms
Parol evidence allowed to aid fact finder in reaching correct interpretation of terms
- plain meaning ≠ parol evidence