Contracts Flashcards
What is the objective theory of contracts according to Hand?
A contract has nothing to do with the personal or individual intent of the parties. A contract is a obligation attached by the force of law to certain acts of the parties which represent a known intent.
What is the subjective theory of contracts?
A desire for legal symmetry, legal uniformity. What was intended? Meant?
When is the mental assent of both parties not requisite for contract formation?
If the words or acts of one party has just one reasonable meaning, his undisclosed intention is immaterial. If his words or acts manifest an intention to agree
Is a joking contract binding?
Yes. If a reasonable person would consider the contract real, it is enforceable and binding.
When is a promise not bound?
A promise is not bound to the contract if the promise, whether from its content or circumstance of making, is insufficiently serious to indicate the promisor intent to be bound.
If a party refuses to sign a document after coming to terms, can the other signing party enforce the non signing party to sign?
Depends. Two rules regarding that are: (a) absent an express intent that no contract shall exist, Mutual assent between the parties, even oral or informal to exchange acts is sufficient to create a binding contract.
(b) to avoid the obligation to be bound at least one party must express an intention not to be bound until a writing is executed
What are the factors to determine parties intent to be bound in absence of a document executed by both sides?
Whether
(a) there has been an express reservation of the right to be bound in absence if writing
(b) partial performance of the contract
(c) where all the terms if the alleged contract agreed upon
(d) was the agreement at issue the type if contract usually committed to writing?
What is assent?
Agreement, approval or permission; verbal or nonverbal conduct reasonably interpreted as willingness.
What is an offer?
An offer is an act whereby one person confers upon another the power to create contractual relations between them.
It must be an act that leads the offeree reasonably to believe the power to create a contract is conferred upon him.
Is an advertisement an offer ?
Generally no. An advertisement is an invitation by seller to buyer to make an offer to purchase
What is the test for an offer?
Where the offer is clear, definite, and explicit. It leaves nothing open for negotiation.
When can an advertiser modify his offer?
Anytime before acceptance.
Is an offer done in error enforceable?
All courts agree if the offeree knows or should have known of offeror material mistake at the time of acceptance the offeror is not bound
What is an acceptance?
An acceptance is a voluntary act of the offeree whereby he exercises the power conferred upon him by the offer.
What acts are sufficient to show acceptance?
Depends on the terms in which the offer was expressed. (either by words or other conduct)
The offeror has full power to determine the acts that constitute acceptance.
What happens after the offeror contact is accepted
The offeror is no longer free to change its mind and withdraw from the relationship without incurring liability.
What is power in a contractural sense?
Power is the capacity to change a legal relationship.
What is a countermand?
To cancel or revoke a contract
What is a bilateral contract?
A contract affecting or obligating both parties. Both sides must act in accordance to an exchange of promises.
What is a unilateral contract?
Contract in which one party makes an express promise or undertakes a performance without first securing a reciprocal agreement from other party. Only the promisor is bound.
Is the shipment if goods considered acceptance?
If seller has already shipped prior to buyers revocation then yes. This can be done by a prompt promise to ship or by the prompt shipment
Power of contract can be terminated by
- Lapse of the offer
- Revocation of the offer
- Offeror death or incapacity
- By offeree rejection.
Four essential terms for certainty
(1) parties (2) Subject matter (3) time for performance (4) price
What is CCIC
Essential elements of an offer: (1) Communication; Communicated to an; Identified offeree; Containing definite terms
Who is the mater of the offer?
The offeror is the master of his offer