Contracts - MBE Flashcards
*** Sale of Goods Contracts
- UCC Article 2 governs all sale of goods contracts
- Goods = all things movable at the time of identification to the contract (except money/currency)
- But, Common Law principles continue to apply, UNLESS the UCC specifically displaces them.
- A sale of goods contract may be made in any manner sufficient to show agreement.
** UCC vs. Common Law
- UCC Art. 2 –> applies to sale of goods contracts.
- Common law –> applies to all other contracts
- Mixed Contracts –> The predominant purpose of the contract determines which law governs.
*** Requirements to Form a Valid Contract
Elements:
(1) mutual assent (offer and acceptance),
(2) consideration, AND
(3) no defenses to formation.
***Mutual Assent
Requires:
(1) an OFFER by one party, AND
(2) ACCEPTANCE of that offer by another party.
*** OFFER
A manifestation of intent to enter into a contract with definite or reasonably certain terms, communicated to an identified offeree.
*** Termination
- Offers can be terminated before acceptance by:
(a) rejection or counter-offer,
(b) lapse of time,
(c) revocation, OR
(d) death/incapacity.
*** Revocation
- An offer may be revoked at any time before acceptance through unambiguous words or conduct indicating an unwillingness or inability to contract.
*** Indirect revocation when:
(1) offeror takes definite action inconsistent with entering into a proposed contract, AND
(2) offeree acquires reliable info to that effect.
*** Irrevocable Offers
- Option contracts - if consideration is given to keep an offer open.
- Merchant’s firm offer - offer by merchant, in a signed writing, stating offer will be held open with max time up to 3 months, separately signed by offeror.
- Offer was relied on to the offeree’s detriment
*** Acceptance - manifestation of assent to the terms of the offer
- PERFORMANCE may be adequate.
- Bilateral contracts - start of performance manifests acceptance.
- Unilateral contracts - only makes the offer irrevocable (acceptance only when completed).
- REJECTION - a manifestation of intent not to accept an offer.
- offer is terminated upon receipt by offeror.
- cannot accept an offer after it is rejected.
- COUNTEROFFERS - both a rejection and new offer.
*** Timing of Acceptance/Revocation and Mailbox Rule
- Acceptance –> offer is accepted when sent or communicated.
- Revocation –> offer is revoked when received by the offeree. Cannot revoke an offer after it’s accepted.
- Mailbox Rule:
- Acceptance sent by mail is deemed to be accepted once placed in the mail (does not apply to option deadlines).
- Revocation sent by mail is deemed effective when received by the offeree.
** Battle of the Forms
Mirror Image Rule (CL) - Acceptance must exactly mirror the offer, any variations constitute a counteroffer.
UCC Exception - Acceptance DOES NOT have to mirror the offer.
BUT, different or additional terms are included only if:
1) Both parties are merchants;
2) The term is not a material change;
3) Offer does not expressly limit acceptance to the exact offer; AND
4) No objection was made within a reasonable time.
*material change = likely to cause hardship/surprise (i.e.. disclaimer of warranties or arbitration clause).
4)
**Implied-in-Fact Contracts
A contract is created by conduct if:
1) The conduct is intentional, AND
2) Each party knows (has reason to know) the other party will interpret the conduct as an agreement.
**Indefiniteness/Absence of Terms
- If terms of an agreement are not certain (cannot be ascertained to a reasonable degree of certainty) then it’s NOT enforceable.
- Indefinite Duration - contract is generally invalid.
- UCC (sale of goods) –> if both parties are merchants the only essential term is quantity
- If no agreement on price, a reasonable price term will be supplied under the UCC.
***Consideration
Bargained for exchange of any act or forbearance that benefits the promisor or causes detriment to the promisee.
- Past/Moral Consideration –> is not sufficient
- Merchant’s Firm Offer –> may be enforced without consideration.
- Illusory Promises –> are invalid, occurs when one party has no obligation to perform.
***Exceptions to Consideration Requirement (Rest. 2nd).
- Material Rule - a promise made in recognition of a benefit previously received is binding to the extent necessary to prevent injustice.
- BUT, not applied when: (a) conferred as a gift; or (b) value of the promise is disproportional to the benefit conferred. - Promissory Estoppel - applies when:
(1) a party reasonably and foreseeably relied to his detriment on other party’s promise,
(2) the promisor reasonably expected a change of position in reliance of the promise, AND
(3) it’s necessary to avoid injustice.
***Modification of Contracts
Pre-existing Duty Rule - Under the common law, past performance or a pre-existing duty is NOT adequate consideration:
- Exceptions:
(a) an addition or change in
performance; OR
(b) a fair and equitable modification
due to severe unanticipated
circumstances and contract isn’t fully
performed by either party.
UCC Exception - No consideration is required for contract modifications made in good faith
- But must have a writing if
(a) it falls within the Statute of Frauds;
OR
(b) the original contract states that
modifications must be made in
writing.
**Defenses of Enforceability
- Incapacity
- Duress
- Undue Influence
- Mistake
**Incapacity - must have capacity in order to enter into a contract.
- Lack of Capacity (a) minors - persons under 18 years old, or (b) lack of mental capacity - person cannot understand the meaning and effect of a contract. BUT, minors are bound for contracts for necessities (food, shelter, clothing)
- Contract is voidable by the person who lacked capacity.
**Duress - 2 types:
- Physical Compulsion - contract is void
Occurs if: a person physically compels another person to agree to a contract (i.e. physically forcing someone to sign or by gun point).
- Economic Duress - contract is voidable Occurs when: 1) an improper threat is made 2) that induces a party, 3) who has no reasonable alternative 4) to enter into a contract.
*A mere threat to breach a contract (without more) is generally insufficient.
**Undue Influence - Requires:
1) Unfair persuasion of a person
2) Who is either:
a) under the domination of a person
exercising influence; OR
b) justified in assuming the other person
will act in their interest/welfare because
of the relationship between them (i.e.
family)
*Contract is generally voidable by the victim.
**Mistake - 2 Types
Mutual Mistake
AND
Unilateral Mistake
**Mutual Mistake
Mutual Mistake - contract is voidable (may be rescinded/reformed)
- Elements:
(1) both parties are mistaken as to a
basic assumption,
(2) the mistake is material, AND
(3) the person asserting the mistake did
not bear the risk of the mistake.
**Unilateral Mistake
- Generally NOT a valid defense
Elements:
(1) a mistake by one party,
(2) that is unknown to the other party,
(3) concerning a basic assumption,
(4) that has a material effect.
BUT, a contract is voidable by the mistaken party if:
(a) one party knew or had reason to believe of the mistake;
OR
(b) the mistake makes the contract unconscionable.
- A mistake as to price/value is NOT considered material.
**Misrepresentation
Contract is voidable by the injured party.
**Fraudulent Misrepresentation
- Occurs when:
(1) D knowingly,
(2) made a false representation,
(3) of material fact, AND
(4) the other party reasonably relies on the misrepresentation to his detriment.
**Non-Fraudulent Misrepresenation
Occurs when:
(1) a party/agent,
(2) makes a statement of material fact,
(3) that is false (no wrongdoing required),
(4) inducing a contract, AND
(5) the other party reasonably relied on the misrepresentation to his detriment.
**Concealment
An affirmative act intended to keep another person from learning a fact.
- Concealment is deemed a misrepresentation.
BUT, there is NO DUTY TO DISCLOSE UNLESS:
a) a fiduciary relationship exists;
b) it’s necessary to correct an earlier mistake;
c) Active concealment occurs; OR
d) A seller of real property knows material facts that affect the value of the property (that buyer is unaware of and cannot reasonably discover).
**Illegality and Public Policy
Courts will NOT enforce contracts that are illegal or contrary to public policy.
- Contract is void if the illegality existed at the time of contract formation
- Performance is discharged if the contract subsequently became illegal
- A contract with an illegal purpose is voidable by the party who did not know of the illegal purpose.
**Unconscionability
Occurs when the contract/term shocks the conscious of the court.
Usually need both Procedural unconscionability and Substantive unconscionability.
**Procedural Unconscionability
- One party has a superior bargaining position over the other party and uses that power to their advantage.
**Substantive Unconscionability
- Contract contains terms that are obviosly unfair and one-sided in favor of the party with the superior bargaining power
If unconscionable, the court may…
a) enforce the contract without the unconscionable term; OR
b) limit the application of the term.
***Statue of Frauds
- Contract is not valid unless in a writing signed by the party to be charged
Writing Requirement
Writing must:
(1) be signed by the party to be charged;
(2) reasonably identify the subject matter,
(3) indicate a contract was made, AND
(4) state the essential terms.