Contracts Flashcards
[CL] Pre-existing Duty re: Modification:
Exceptions?
- Parties agree to performance different than required by original K
- Unforeseen Circumstances: performance rendered substantially more burdensome than reasonably anticipated** **by the parties when they entered K
Risk of loss:
Merchant? Non-merchant?
Breach?
- Merchant seller: risk passes to buyer when he receives[physical possession]
- Non-merchant: upon tender of delivery
- Effects of Breach:
- Seller breaches: risk remains with him
- Buyer breaches before risk passes–seller may-to extent of any deficiency in his insurance–treat risk of loss as resting on the buyer for commercially reasonable time
[Common Law] Acceptance?
Must:
- Mirror offer &
- Communicate to offeror
*Offer silent re: method communication? reasonable
- same means that offeror used,
- means ordinary in the trade, OR
- means equivalent in expeditiousness & equivalence
Accord & Satisfaction?
- A: K where oblige promises to accept substituted performance in satisfaction of obligor’s existing duty.
- Requires consideration SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFERENT from that required in original K. [Creditors allowed to accept partial payment as an A&S, if GF dispute as to amount owed.]
- A alone will not discharge the original duty, but suspend it until S is completed.
- S: performance of accord that will discharge original debt.·
[Statute of Frauds]
[UCC]
Partial Performance?
re: Divisible Goods?
Indivisible?
K enforceable re: goods
- “paid for & accepted” or “received & accepted.”
- actions by both parties indicate K existence
- Divisible goods: PP secures enforcement quantity ALREADY
- Paid for by buyer OR
- Delivered by seller
- Indivisible: enforces entire K
Ks governed by the Statute of Frauds?
M. SOUR:
- Consideration of Marriage
- Suretyship/Guarantee • Exceptions: (1) creditor discharged original debt on faith of guarentee by 3rd party OR (2) main purpose of guarontor’s promise is to protect own economic interest–not debtor’s interest–then not w/in SoF
- Longer than One Year [from creation of K to performance; if at all possible CAN end w/in a year, than iSoF (i.e., excludes lifetime employment K b/c can die w/in 1 year)]
- UCC- Sale of Goods over $500 [doesn’t have to be $ can be goods worth over $500]
- REAL PROPERTY - Sale of Interest in Land [future sale/lease not current] • Real estate brokerage agreements: service Ks not governed by SoF
Misrepresentation: Fraudulent Nondisclosure?
∆’s silence where there is a duty to disclose
- nondisclosure was MATERIAL
- REASONABLE RELIANCE on nondisclosure&
- Following circumstances:
i) RELATIONSHIP of TRUST & CONFIDENCE ii) made an assertion that was true but rendered untrue by intervening events
iii) if GF would require that party disclose info
Quantum Meruit?
Right to reasonable value of benefits
conferred
- Means of enforcing both implied-in-fact & implied-in-law contractual obligation
- measure of damages for services performed w/o a binding or enforceable contract
Battle of the Forms?
“DEFINITE & SEASONABLE EXPRESSION OF ACCEPTANCE will operate as an acceptance EVEN THOUGH it states ADDITIONAL or DIFFERENT TERMS”
- Exception: Conditional Acceptance [Acceptance expressly made CONDITIONAL on ASSENT to ADD’L or DIFFERENT TERMS]
Impossibility Exceptions?
- parties allocated for risk of contingency & provided remedial measures in event of occurrence
- performance rendered ONLY TEMPORARILY IMPOSSIBLE, then will typically only suspend obligations of parties until impossibility ended
Statute of frauds:
time of writing?
Does not need to be written
at time promise is made
[UCC]
Warranty of fitness for particular purpose:
Modification/exclusion REQUIRES?
CONSPICUOUS WRITING
Incapacity:
MINOR:
EXCEPTIONS?
Necessaries: such as food, clothing, shelter, & medical [autos/educ. depends] are VOIDABLE;
Merchant’s relief is quasi-contractual only;
May ONLY receive reasonable value NOT K price.
[UCC]
Express Warranties
- Affirmation fact/promise: Good will do what I said
- Description goods: Good resembles description
- Sample/model: Rest of goods like sample
[Common Law]
Conditional acceptance?
counter-offer
(Look for “if,” “On the condition that,” “but,” etc.)
[UCC]
Warranty of fitness for particular purpose: Modification/exclusion requirement is not need when?
Inconspicuous writing not needed if:
- buyer fully examined goods or refused to do so, b/c warranty waived if defect would have been apparent from examination
- Course of performance, usage or trade indicate warranty mod/ex
- K expressions like “as is” or “with all faults” that make plain there is no warranty
[UCC]
Implied Warranties
Title against infringement
Merchantability
Fitness for Particular Purpose
An individual who is the subject of a court-ordered guardianship over that individual’s property lacks the capacity to _______.
enter into a K.
- Consequently, any contract purportedly entered into by such an individual is void. (Note: If item is a necessity, may be able to recover reasonable value in restitution under a quasi-contract action, but cannot enforce original K of sale.)
What happens when Transaction involves a “Shrink-Wrap” K?
[UCC]
- (a) “Shrink wrap” K: Ks contained w/in already purchased items
- Boilerplate terms mere proposal for K, follow rules governing transactions not “b/w merchants” OR retention & use constitutes acceptance of terms
Invitation to
deal/receive offers
Preliminary communication
inviting others to produce an offer
that still reserves a final round of approval
with speaker
[SoF][CL]
[Signing requirement]
“Tacking Together” Multiple Docs
All docs must be signed OR
signed docs incorporate unsigned docs
Not incorporated: EXCEPTION:
- a) @ least 1 signed writing unambiguously establishing contractual relationship b/w parties
- b) signed & unsigned docs clearly refer to same subject matter
- c) clear & convincing evid of acquiescence to unsigned docs by party against whom enforcement sought
[UCC]
Warranty of merchantability? Modification?
fit for the ordinary purposes for which such goods are used
may be modified/excluded,
doesn’t need to be in writing
Risk of loss:
Bailee
If held by bailee risk passes to buyer when
- title passes to buyer;
- bailee acknowledges buyer’s right to possession; OR
- bailee receives title & has time to present to bailee
Delegable Duties–exclusions?
- Personal service cases
- When K prohibits delegation.
(a) CL: Attempt to delegate is a breach.
(b) UCC: Not an immediate breach, but it is reasonable grounds for insecurity allowing for a demand of assurances
UCC:
Substantial Performance
w/ regard to an installment K?
UCC requires perfect tender of goods, and substantial performance will not suffice. However, UCC does permit substantial performance with regard to an installment K.
- When a nonconforming tender OR tender of nonconforming goods under one segment of an installment K, buyer may cancel K ONLY if nonconformity SUBSTANTIALLY IMPAIRS value of entire K to buyer.
[SoF][CL]
Writing Requirement?
Multiple docs?
- I.D. parties
- nature & subject matter of K
- essential terms of unperformed promises in agreement
Real prop Ks: Often require address & others more accurate description w/ monuments, meets & bound, etc.
Express vs. Implied Conditions?
Express: parties expressly include in provisions of K
Implied: address order of performance & rights upon breach when not done so expressly. Fairly inferred from circumstances.
A firm offer made by the offeror in an _______
is irrevocable for the stated time period,
where such period is _______,
provided that the offeror is a merchant.
authenticated writing
90 days or less
[UCC]
Imperfect Tender:
Rejecting goods?
Buyer MUST:
- exercise right of rejection w/in reasonable time after delivery &
- notify seller of rejection w/in reasonable period
Once rejected:
- Buyer MAY: bring action for damages for imperfect tender
- Buyer MUST: use reasonable care in holding goods for reasonable time until seller can remove them
Promissory vs. Pure Conditions?
- Promissory: K performance conditioned on the occurrence of PROMISED PERFORMANCE by the other party
- Pure: K performance conditioned on the occurrence of event BEYOND CONTROL of either party
Anticipatory Repudiation:
Failure to provide reasonable assurances constitutes?
Aggrieved party’s rights?
Failure to provide clear & unequivocal (Florida: distinct, unequivocal, & absolute) assurances constitutes an anticipatory repudiation.
Aggrieved can:
- Cancel K
- Bring an action for damages or specific performance
- Ignore repudiation, but cannot run up damages
Implied-in-fact K?
Consensual agreement that fails to express agreement of parties in its entirety
[Mechanic fixes car w/o agreeing to price]
Annuity
K requiring payment of a fixed amount periodically for duration of a person’s life
- Purchaser assumes risk that person on whose life annuity is based will die before price paid for annuity is recouped, and issuer of K assumes risk that that person will live beyond recoupment date. This assumption of the risk is inherent in the nature of the annuity contract.
Limiting remedies, typically does not constitute a material alteration of a K. The statutory limitations period can be shortened by the parties to as short as_________.
One year
Excused Performance: Mistake?
Types?
party makes faulty assumption about fact present at K creation that affects materiality
Unilateral vs. Mutual
Defense:
Incapacity:
Mental Incompetence:
LEGAL CONSEQUENCES?
- Adjudication of mental incompetence: VOID
- No adjudication of incompetence: VOIDable
- If voided: MUST make other party whole by paying reasonable value for goods received
- Responsible for damages, unless, bad faith on other party then get goods “as is”
- Possibility of Ratification if becomes competent
- Incapacity defenses are available under both common law & UCC
Anticipatory Repudiation:
INSECURE PARTY’S RIGHTS?
Right to Suspend Performance, if:
- Goods not yet received
- Party doesn’t respond under a reasonable time, [UCC caps at 30 days]
- Other party responds OR w/ response that doesn’t provide clear & unequivocal assurances (FL: clear, unequivocal & distinct). Reasonableness of response: i) circumstances ii) prior relationship iii) past dealings iv) nature of insecurity involved
Option:
No Time Period Listed
If no time period is provided for the option,
a reasonable term is implied.
Option?
Construction K exception(s)?
An irrevocable offer. Factors:
- Offer
- Promise to keep offer open &
- Enforcement mechanism [consideration received]
- Special rule for construction Ks: Gen’l contractor uses particular subcontractor’s bid to formulate his own, an implied option K is created via promissory estoppel.
Incapacity–MINOR–RATIFICATION?
Minor may ratify K upon reaching age of majority [open manifestation of intent to be obligated]
[SoF] [UCC]
Signed Writing?
- writing: intentional reduction to tangible form
- signature: any symbol executed w/ intention to authenticate writing
- sufficient to indicate that a K for sale has been made b/w the parties
[UCC]
Warranty of fitness for particular purpose?
When
- seller at time of K-ing has reason to KNOW
- (a) any particular purpose for which the goods are required &
- (b) that buyer is relying on seller’s skill or judgment to select/furnish suitable goods,
- goods shall be fit for such purpose.
Employment K provides “permanent employment”?
“Lifetime employment”?
Permanent: Absent contrary intention, “at will,” b/c duration term in K is considered too vague.
Lifetime: courts split–“at will” or literally lifetime.
Employment agreements overcome default rule of employment-at-will via express terms of K, rules published by the employer (such as those in an employee handbook), or by implication (by usage or conduct).
[FLORIDA DISTINCTIONS]
Anticipatory Repudiation?
A refusal to perform that is
“distinct, unequivocal, and absolute” is
repudiation permitting the other party
to seek assurance of performance,
to seek damages, or to mitigate damages.
Defense:
Misrepresentation:
Remedies?
- Avoidance: defend against a breach of K claim
- Rescission & Reliance Damages: bring tort action to rescind K & collect damages for reliance on the misrepresentation, including consequential damages
- Victims of negligent & fraudulent misrepresentation may live w/ the K & sue for the benefit of the bargain [difference b/w received & expected]
- Punitive damages are available for fraudulent misrepresentation [intentional tort]
- Defenses applicable under CL & UCC.
Employment K doesn’t state duration?
Presumption of employment “at will”
(either party can terminate any time, w/o it being deemed a breach of K (unless against public policy, i.e. fired for whistle blowing)).
Among _______, additional terms contained in an acceptance is automatically included in a K unless the (1) _______, (2) _______, or (3) _______.
Merchants
- offer expressly limits acceptance to the terms of the offer,
- the offeror has already objected to the additional terms or does so within a reasonable time, or
- the term materially alters the original contract.
Where a party bestows benefits upon another in connection w/ an oral K, even if enforcement of that K is barred by SoF aggrieved party may recover via?
- PROMISSORY ESTOPPEL address reliance
- QUANTUM MERUIT for reasonable value of services rendered
- RESTITUTION may be filed for value of benefits conferred
Bargained-for-Consideration?
Exchange of promises involving a legal detriment or benefit
Gratuitous Promise
vs.
Gratuitous Transfer?
- Gratuitous Promise/executory gift unenforceable
- Gratuitous Transfer/executed gift legally binding
-
How to “execute” a gift/gratuitous transfer:
- A) INTEND TO GIVE YOU GIFT &
- B) EFFECTUATE DELIVERY OR SYMBOLIC DELIVERY
-
How to “execute” a gift/gratuitous transfer:
[UCC]
K formation?
- Both parties intend to contract &
- there is a reasonably certain basis for giving a remedy.
[CL]
Specific Performance
Breaching party ordered to perform.
(1) Only available to aggrieved party when: money damages inadequate.
(2) Specific Performance generally available:
(a) unique objects or (b) real property
(3) Specific Performance Not Available for K for personal services.
Injunction
preventing someone from doing something
(Most common: Employment Ks)
An offeree ______ have knowledge of an offer in order to have the power to accept the offer.
MUST
*If an offeree does not become aware of the offer until after acting, then his acts do not constitute acceptance.*
[UCC]
Written Confirmation of a K: ADDITIONAL vs. DIFFERENT terms?
Transactions b/w merchants: distinguish add’l & diff.
ADDITIONAL: automatically enter K UNLESS:
- materially alters K
- receiving party objects w/in reasonable time
- Offer expressly limits acceptance to terms stated herein
DIFFERENT: mere proposals for addition to K; omit both
Illusory Promises?
Promise to perform that
leaves performance up to
the discretion of promising party
[doesn’t constitute consideration]
[UCC] Imperfect Tender: Buyer must accept non-conforming tender if it does _______ of this particular installment & seller gives _______?
not substantially impair value
adequate assurance he can cure
Unilateral K
Exchange of a promise that requests acceptance by an action.
Offeror cannot revoke offer once offeree begins performance—distinguish b/w beginning performance & mere preparations. Once performance begins, offeree will have a reasonable amount of time to complete performance but CANNOT be required to complete the performance.
Merchant
Both a person who regularly deals in the type of goods involved in the transaction, but also any business person when the transaction is of a commercial nature.
[3rd-Party Beneficiaries]
At what point does an intended beneficiary’s right to sue vest?
- Once beneficiary brings suit to enforce
- Beneficiary changes position on reasonable reliance on K
- Beneficiary manifests assent either by promisor or promisee’s request
- If rights have vested under express terms of K
[UCC]
Acceptance:
3 ways Seller can accept buyer’s offer to purchase goods for shipment?
- Rending promissory acceptance
- Ship conforming goods
- Shipping non-conforming goods [CREATES BINDING K & BREACH]
- EXCEPTION: seller notifies buyer that goods sent as an “accommodation” to buyer then counter-offer not acceptance
Right of
Replevin?
an action enabling the return of personal property taken wrongfully or unlawfully
Where a party to a contract breaches the contract and the only remaining duty with respect to the contract is the payment of money in installments, this breach does not _________.
give the other party a claim to damages for total breach.
UCC:
Warranty of Merchantability:
If a buyer, before entering into a K,
has examined the goods as fully as the buyer desires,
or has refused to examine the goods,
there is no______________.
implied warranty with respect to defects that an examination would have revealed to the buyer
[FLORIDA DISTINCTIONS] Construction Contracts and Indemnification?
Construction K–involving work on real property–b/w a real property owner and someone associated with the construction work on the property,
that contains an indemnity provision MUST have a monetary limitation on the indemnification.
Monetary limitation MUST not be less than $1 million per occurrence, unless agreed by the parties.
Statute of Frauds: UCC:
A contract K ONLY covers?
K is only enforceable under SoF for the quantity mentioned
[UCC] Imperfect Tender: Non-conforming tender substantially impairs value of whole K?
BREACH OF WHOLE K
Constructive revocation?
i) action taken inconsistent w/ intention to enter proposed K, or
ii) learns of inconsistent action from reliable source (other than offeror)
Revival of offer
Terminated offer may be revived by Offeror. As with any open offer, the revived offer can be accepted by Offeree.
Reward?
Types?
offer naming price for service but not specifying an offeree:
(a) SELF-LIMITING REWARDS: only 1 person able to accept
(b) OPEN-FIELD REWARDS: may be performed by several parties
[UCC]
Pre-existing Duty re: Modification?
displaces common law preexisting duty rule • agreement modifying exiting K for sale of goods needs no consideration to be binding;
however, must meet UCC’s GOOD FAITH TEST (failure to met will make unenforceable) both for mods w/ & w/o consideration
Non-carrier cases: Destination K:
agreed to tender goods at a particular destination.
- deliver goods to particular destination, seller must, at destination, put & hold conforming goods at buyer’s disposition
- seller must also give buyer any notice of tender that’s reasonably necessary to obtain delivery.
Acceptance?
MANIFESTATION of
a willingness to enter into the agreement
by the offeree.
Excused Performance: Mutual Mistake?
Both parties have labored under a common faulty assumption regarding the present facts.
K VOIDable by disadvantaged party, if:
- fact about which parties were mistaken is essential
- both parties were mistaken &
- disadvantage party does not bear risk or mistake under agreement
[SoF] [UCC]
Merchant’s
Confirmation?
Merchants enter an oral agreement & 1 of them sends other a written confirmation of agreement. Factors:
- sufficient against sender [if sender signs & contains amount]
- in confirmation of K
- w/in reasonable time of oral agreement
- Recipient has “reason to know” of content • Exception: recipient objects w/in 10 days of receipt
Offer and acceptance and the intent of the parties re: the same are governed by an ________________.
objective standard/test
Expectation Damages
aims to put you where you would be if fully & properly performed
Limits on Full Recovery of Expectation Damages
- Cost cannot greatly exceeds market value of full & proper performance;
- Reasonably certain;
- Foreseeability, entitled to consequential damages foreseeable at time of K &
- Duty to mitigate damages, general is you cannot recover for losses you could have avoided without risk, burden or humiliation. You only have to make a reasonable attempt to avoid.