Contracts Flashcards
Contract:
A legally enforceable agreement.
Express K
K from words
Implied K
K results from conduct.
Conduct that gives rise to K
Conduct where a reasonable person in a similar situation would infer a promise.
Quasi-K
Not really a K, but a remedy that may exist when three elements exist.
Three elements for a quasi-K
- P has conferred benefit on D; and
- P reasonably expected to get paid; and
- D would realize unjust enrichment if P was not compensated.
Unilateral Contract
Results from an OFFER that expressly requires the performance AS THE ONLY possible method of acceptance.
Bilateral Contract
Promise for a promise. Usually silent as to the method of acceptance.
Mixed Contracts (goods and services)
Rule: All or nothing - more important part governs.
UCC - Sale of Goods
CL: services
ex. $400 for car and 2 driving lessons - what’s more important? CAR
Is the initial communication an offer? General test.
Manifestation of commitment.
Whether a reasonable person in the position of the offeree would believe that his assent creates a contract.
Consideration
Bargained for exchange of something with legal value
Defense to Contract Formation MILS
- Mistake
- Lack of Capacity
- Illegality
- Statute of Frauds
Offer EEC
MANIFESTATION of intent to contract.
- Expression of promise, undertaking, or commitment.
- Certainty and definiteness in ESSENTIAL TERMS.
- Communication of the above to the offeree.
Required details for Real Estate Contracts
Must include identification of land and price.
Required details for Sale of Goods Contracts (UCC Art. 2)
Quantity must be certain.
Except: Outputs and Requirements Contracts
Do missing terms prevent the formation of a contract?
Does not prevent the formation of a contract if it appears that that parties INTENDED to make a contract and there is REASONABLY certain basis for remedy.
Court can supply reasonable terms for those that are missing.
Do vague terms prevent the formation of a contract?
Court cannot enforce a contract where parties have included terms that are too vague to be enforced.
Revocation of Offer by Offeror. When is it effective?
When received.
Revocation of Offer by Offeror. Methods of revocation?
Express or implied. (e.g. offeree discovers that offeror sold subject matter to someone else.)
Revocation of Offer by Offeror. Limitations on power to terminate? BOMD
- Beginning performance on unilateral contract.
- Option Contract
- Merchant’s Firm Offer
- Detrimental reliance
Rejection of Offer by Offeree. When Effective?
Effective when received.
Rejection of Offer by Offeree. Methods. (3)
- Express rejection,
- Counteroffer, or
- Lapse of reasonable time.
Art. 2 - Battle of the Forms Provision
Used instead of the mirror image rule under Art. 2.
Proposal of additional or different terms by the offeree in a definite and timely acceptance is EFFECTIVE AS ACCEPTANCE,
UNLESS the acceptance is made EXPRESSLY conditional on assent to the different terms.
Whether the additional terms become part of the contract depends on whether both parties are merchants.
Promissory Estoppel (Detrimental Reliance) Promise is enforceable if necessary to prevent injustice if:
- The promisor should reasonably expect to induce action or forbearance;
- Of a definite and substantial character;
- and such an action or forbearance is in fact, induced.
Past consideration/Moral obligation:
is not consideration at common law.
Nor is it a substitute for consideration.
Option Contract: Common Law
A promise to keep an offer open for a certain amount of time. Must be supported by consideration.
Merchant’s Firm Offer
- Offer by merchant
- in a signed writing which by its terms gives assurance that it will be held open
- is irrevocable during the time stated; AND
- if no time is stated then period of irrevocability may not exceed 90 days.
Perfect tender
Seller must deliver exact conforming goods to the buyer.
Three options after violation of perfect tender:
- Accept the goods and pay K price
- Buyer can timely reject the goods and sue for damages
- Buyer may accept in part and reject in part.
Surety Contract
Promise to pay for the debts of another.
ALWAYS must be in writing.(except)
Main purpose rule
Exception to requirement that surety contracts must be in writing.
If it can be established that the main purpose of the guarantor was to benefit himself, it doesn’t need to be in writing.
Exception to the parol evidence rule (8)
Fraud Illegality Undue influence Duress Mistake Condition precedent Evidence showing lack of consideration. Industry practice.
Merchant’s 10 day rule
Exception to statute of frauds.
- Both parties must be merchants
- One merchant sends written confirmation of oral agreement binds sender immediately
- If the recipient doesn’t object w/I 10 days after receipt, it binds them as well.
Third Party Beneficiary: Vesting of Rights
- When 3rd party beneficiary learns of K AND assents to it
- When there is detrimental reliance
- When there is a lawsuit to enforce.
Accord
An accord suspends performance of the original agreement until such time as the accord is performed or not performed. Not a modification of the existing agreement. NEW agreement.
Anticipatory Breach/Repudiation
there must be a clear indication (statement) of an intent not to perform.
Unique personal services: too sick to do the job:
(even if it’s your own fault) you are not liable for damages unless the K provides otherwise.