Contracts and Sales Flashcards
UCC applies to
all contracts for the sale of goods
special rules govern transaction between merchants
Common law applies to
any contract not governed by UCC
services
Is there a valid contract
- offer
- acceptance
- consideration
valid offer
- manifestation of a present intent to contract demonstrated by a promise, undertaking, or commitment
- communicated to an identified offeree, and
- definite and certain terms
Has the offer been terminated?
- lapse of time
- revocation
- rejection
- termination by operation of law
lapse of time terminating offer
must accept within specified time period or, if none, within reasonable time
revocation terminating offer
words or conduct of the offeror terminating the offer
- revocation is effective when received by offeree
- irrevocable if:
- merchant’s firm offer
- option contract (offeree gave consideration)
- detrimental reliance
rejection terminating offer
words or conduct of the offeree rejecting the offer
- rejection effective when received by offeror
- counteroffer acts a rejection
termination of offer by operation of law
- destruction of subject matter of the contract
- supervening illegality of subject matter of contract
- death or insanity of either party
unequivocal acceptance
- common law = acceptance of each and every term of the offer (mirror image rule)
- UCC = an acceptance that adds terms to the offer is valid
- between merchants, the additional terms become part of the contract unless they materially alter the contract, the offeror objects, or the offer is limited to its term (battle of the forms)
methods of acceptance
- UCC = reasonable mean
- Unilateral contract = performance
- Bilateral contract = promise or performance
Mailbox rule
acceptance effective upon dispatch
-limitation = offeror opts out; rejection sent first
consideration
- bargained for exchanges (not a gifts) and
2. detriment to promisee or legal benefit to promisor (past consideration generally invalid “preexisting duty rule)
exceptions to preexisting duty rule
- written promise to pay time - barred debt
- new or different consideration promised
- promise ratifying a voidable obligation (ex: minor ratifying upon reaching age of majority)
- compromise of honest dispute
- unforeseen circumstances make modification fair and equitable OR rise to the level of impracticability
- good faith modification under UCC
substitutes for consideration
- promissory estoppel
2. detrimental reliance
Defenses to formation or enforcement
- mistake
- fraud and misrepresentation
3, illegality - incapacity
- statute of frauds
- unconscionability
Mistake
- unilateral mistake = contract is voidable if not mistaken party knew or should have shown mistake
- mutual mistake = contract is voidable by adversely affected party if:
- mistake concerns basic assumption on which contract was made
- mistake had material effect
- party seeking avoidance did not assume risk
- ambiguous terms = one party aware of ambiguity = contract; neither party or both parties aware of ambiguity = no contract
what falls under incapacity as defense to contract
infancy, mental incapacity, intoxication, duress, and undue influence
statute of frauds
certain contracts must be in writing, signed by the party to be charged (MY LEGS)
- marriage
- year = if cannot be performed in one year
- land (leases, easements, fixtures, mineral rights, mortgages)
- executors and administrators = promises to pay estate debts
- goods = when price is $500 or more (except: specially manufactured goods and goods accepted or paid for)
- suretyship = promise to answer for another’s debt
Parol Evidence rule
when parties intend that a writing is the final expression of their bargain,no prior (oral or written) or contemporaneous expressions are admissible to vary the terms of the writing
UCC gap fillers
if missing article 2 provides:
- price = reasonable at time of delivery
- place of delivery = seller’s business
- time of shipment = reasonable
- time for payment = receipt of goods
- assortment = buyer’s option