Contracts/Sales Flashcards
Contracts/Sales: Terms of the Contract What is the Implied Warranty of Fitness for a Particular Purpose?
The goods are fit for their particular purpose when: (i) Buyer has a particular purpose in buying the goods (ii) Seller has reason to know of buyer’s purpose and reliance (iii) Buyer relies on seller to select suitable goods
Contracts/Sales: Formation of a Contract What is the mnemonic used to remember all aspects of law that come under the Statute of Frauds?
“MYLEGS” M arriage Y ear (within one) L and E xecutor (or Administrator) G oods (for $500 or more) S urety
Contracts/Sales: Formation of a Contract What is an illusory promise?
A promise where only one party is bound to perform. Unenforceable contract.
Contracts/Sales: Formation of a Contract Who lacks capacity to contract and what is the consequence of incapacity in contract law?
- Infant (under 18) 2. Mental incompetents (must lack ability to understand agreement) 3. Intoxicated persons (if other party has reason to know) Consequence: The right to disaffirm by the person without capacity (exception: implied affirmation by retention of benefits after gaining capacity)
Contracts/Sales: Third-Party Problems What is an assignment of rights?
A transfer of rights under a K. Assignment involves 2 separate steps: 1. Contract between only 2 parties; AND 2. One of the parties later transfers rights under that contract to a 3rd party K can limit assignment by prohibiting or invalidating. Common law bars an assignment that substantially changes the duties of the obligor.
Contracts/Sales: Formation of a Contract Contract provisions requiring written modification: 1. CL 2. UCC
- Ignore contract language that says all modifications must be in writing 2. Contract provisions requiring written modifications are effective unless waived
Contracts/Sales: Formation of a Contract Mistake of Fact Existing at Time of Contract? 1. Mutual, material mistake of existing fact? 2. Unilateral mistake of material fact?
Generally no relief 1. No relief for mistake if the person seeking relief bears the risk of the mistake 2. Relief for other party when there is an obvious, palpable mistake (clerical error in making a bid)
Contracts/Sales: Formation of a Contract Regarding performance, what objective proof satisfies the Statute of Frauds?
- Part performance and transfer of interest in real estate requires two out of three: (i) Improvements to the land (ii) Payment (iii) Possession 2. In service contracts, full performance by either - - - NO PART PERFORMANCE 3. Ordinary goods: Part performance by seller only satisfies the SoF to the extent of part performance 4. Specially manufactured goods: SoF is satisfied as soon as seller makes a “substantial beginning”
Contracts/Sales: Remedies for an Unexcused Nonperformance Nonmonetary remedies - When can a party request specific performance/injunction?
Damages aren’t a sufficient remedy 1. Contracts for sale of real estate, except when the land is sold to a bona fide third party purchaser 2. Contract for the sale of goods that are UNIQUE, ART, CUSTOM-MADE, or other appropriate circumstances 3. Injunctive relief for service, but no specific performance
Contracts/Sales: Formation of a Contract Is “past” consideration valid?
No. A promise given in exchange for something already done does not satisfy the bargain requirement. Can’t ask someone to do what they’ve already done. EXCEPTION: An act performed in response to an emergency or a past act performed at the promisor’s request + a subsequent promise to pay is valid.
Contracts/Sales: Excuse of Non-performance Can an anticipatory repudiation be retracted?
Yes. Anticipatory repudiation can be withdrawn so long as there has not been a material change in position by the other party. If the repudiation is timely retracted, the duty to perform is reimposed but performance can be delayed until adequate assurance is provided.
Contracts/Sales: Formation of a Contract How does a conditional acceptance impact a CL contract vs. a UCC contract?
CL: Terminates initial offer but becomes a counteroffer that can be accepted by conduct. UCC: An express insistence a condition (I accept only if you agree…) constitutes a rejection under the UCC (don’t confuse this with addition of terms/2-207)
Contracts/Sales: Formation of a Contract CL writing requirement under Statute of Frauds?
All material terms test: Who and What Signature of the person asserting the Statute of Frauds as a defense
Contracts/Sales: Performance of Article 2 Contracts 2 Things to remember about Revocation of Acceptance of the Goods
- Effect is that buyer returns the goods and seller returns payments made - done sometime after accepting the goods in limited circumstances 2. Requirements for revocation of acceptance: (i) Nonconformity substantially impairs the value of the goods, and (ii) Excusable ignorance of grounds for revocation or reasonable reliance on seller’s assurances of satisfaction, and (iii) Revocation within a reasonable time after discovery of nonconformity
Contracts/Sales: Formation of a Contract What is the general test for whether initial communication is an offer? Detail the important distinctions between CL and Article 2 as well.
General Test: Manifestation of commitment by one person (would a reasonable person in the position of the offeree believe that their assent creates a k?) Important distinctions: Without price/description, not an offer for real estate. No price for sale of goods ok if all other content creates reasonable inference of parties intention. Vague/ambiguous material terms (appropriate, fair, reasonable) not an offer under CL or UCC, UNLESS requirement/output contract (quantity can be stated in terms of buyer’s requirements or seller’s output- all, only, exclusively, solely).
Contracts/Sales: Formation of a Contract What can substitute as consideration?
A promise is legally enforceable even though there is no consideration if there is one of the following consideration substitutes: 1. A written promise to satisfy an obligation for which there is a legal defense is enforceable without consideration 2. Promissory estoppel (detrimental reliance) 3. Seals
Contracts/Sales: Remedies for an Unexcused Nonperformance Money Damages: Damages for buyer’s breach- What does Seller get when Buyer breaches but Seller has the goods?
Contract price - resale price (unless seller cannot resell, in which case the seller can recover the contract price) In some situations a lost volume seller can also recover provable lost profits
Contracts/Sales: Third-Party Problems Delegation of duties- What is it and what duties are delegable?
A delegation is when a party to a K transfers work under that K to a 3rd party. Generally, K duties are delegable UNLESS K prohibits delegations or prohibits assignments or personal services contract that calls for VERY SPECIAL skills.
Contracts/Sales: Terms of the Contract Delivery Obligations of Seller - Shipment Contracts
Seller completes its delivery obligation when it: (i) Gets the goods to a common carrier, and (ii) Makes reasonable arrangements for delivery, and (iii) Notifies the buyer F.O.B. seller’s city
Contracts/Sales: Excuse of Non-performance Excuse b/c of nonoccurrence of an express condition
An express condition is (1) language in a K that (2) limites obligations created by other K language with (3) certain triggering words (if, only if, unless, when, etc) Generally, strict compliance is required for satisfaction of a condition. IF the condition is of the personal satisfaction of one of the parties, it has to be honest and good faith dissatisfaction (would a reasonable person be satisfied?)
Contracts/Sales: Formation of a Contract How does the UCC differ from common law with regard to pre-existing legal duties?
Article 2 does not have a pre-existing legal duty rule. New consideration is not required to modify a sale of goods; only good faith in change request is necessary.
Contracts/Sales: Formation of a Contract What is a suretyship?
A promise to answer for the debts of another. NOTE: Courts have construed this in a way that substantially limits its applicability- “answer for” is NOT just a promise to pay another’s debts, but a promise to pay ONLY if that person doesn’t pay themselves. However, if the “main purpose” of the alleged promise to pay is to benefit the promisor, then this promise to pay is NOT within the SoF. (main purpose exception)
Contracts/Sales: Excuse of Non-performance What is anticipatory repudiation?
It is an early breach that is an unambiguous statement or conduct that the repudiating party wil not perform made prior to the time that performance was due. This excuses the other party’s duty to perform. This generally gives rise to an immediate claim for damages for breach unless the claimant has already finished her performance.
Contracts/Sales: Excuse of Non-performance What later, unanticipated events will excuse performance of a contract?
- Damage or destruction of subject matter of K - Death AFTER contract: Generally, death does not make a person’s contractual obligations disappear, but death of a “special” person who is a party to the K will excuse performance - Subsequent law or regulation: if law makes performance of K illegal- excuse by impossibility or frustration of purpose
Contracts/Sales: Remedies for an Unexcused Nonperformance Money Damages: What are incidental damages? Who can recover them and when?
Incidental damages- costs incurred in dealing with the breach (storing rejected goods, cost of finding a replacement in a services contract). Incidental damages are ALWAYS recoverable by the party not in breach.
Contracts/Sales: Performance of Article 2 Contracts 4 Things to remember about Acceptance of Goods
- If the buyer accepts the goods, he cannot later reject them 2. Payment without opportunity for inspection is not acceptance 3. Failure to reject after the buyer had reasonable time to reject is acceptance 4. Retention of goods is implied acceptance
Contracts/Sales: Formation of a Contract Name the 3 methods of indirect rejection by offeree.
- Counteroffer (bargaining not a counteroffer- consider this when response is a q instead of a statement) 2. Conditional acceptance (words of acceptance + “if,” “only if,” “provided,” “so long as,” “but,” or “on condition that”) 3. Additional of terms to a CL contract (Mirror Image Rule applies to CL)
Contracts/Sales: Terms of the Contract 5 Limitations on Warranty Liability
- Statute of Limitations generally runs for 4 years, when the “tender of delivery is made,” not when the buyer learns of the defect 2. Privity of Contract (i) MBE - plaintiff must have contracted with the defendant to sue (ii) MD - Not a limitation to personal injury, but property damage is not recoverable 3. Buyer’s examination of the goods: NO IMPLIED WARRANTIES as to defects which would be obvious on examination 4. Disclaimer - e.g. “there are no warranties” (i) Express warranties generally cannot be disclaimed (ii) Implied warranties of merchantability and fitness can be disclaimed in EITHER of the following ways: —-CONSPICUOUS language of disclaimer, mentioning merchantability, OR —-“As is” or “with all faults” 5. Limitation of Remedies - Limits or sets recovery for any breach of warranty: (i) MBE - Possible to limit remedies even for express warranties (ii) General test is unconscionability (iii) Prima Facie unconscionable if breach of warranty on consumer goods causes personal injury MD essay rule - MD has great consumer protection
Contracts/Sales: Formation of a Contract Judicial admission under Statute of Frauds
No SoF defense if defendant admits in a pleading or testimony that he entered into an agreement with the plaintiff
Contracts/Sales: Formation of a Contract How are additional or different terms handled in a contract for the sale of goods (UCC)?
A response to an offer that adds additional or different terms (but does not make the new terms a condition of acceptance) is generally treated a “seasonable expression of acceptance.”
Contracts/Sales: Performance of Article 2 Contracts What is perfect tender?
- Only applies to sales of goods 2. The goods and the delivery must conform to the contract terms by the seller 3. Buyer can reject a less than perfect tender so long as the buyer acts in good faith
Contracts/Sales: Performance of Article 2 Contracts Common Requirements and Consequences for Rejection and Revocation
- Requirements (i) Seasonably notify seller (ii) Hold the goods for seller (iii) Follow reasonable seller instructions 2. Consequences (i) Goods back to seller (ii) No buyer payment obligation
Contracts/Sales: Vocabulary Define unilateral, bilateral, and quasi-contracts
- Unilateral: Results from an offer that expressly requires performance as the only possible method of acceptance 2. Bilateral: All offers that are not unilateral. Usually silent on method of acceptance. 3. Quasi: Equitable remedy (consider this any time a result doesn’t seem “fair”)
Contracts/Sales: Formation of a Contract What is consideration?
Bargained-for legal detriment
Contracts/Sales: Formation of a Contract What is a contract option?
One where the offeror has not only made an offer but also (i) promised not to revoke (or to keep offer “open” for a specified time) AND (ii) the promise is supported by payment/other consideration. IRREVOCABLE.
Contracts/Sales: Remedies for an Unexcused Nonperformance Money Damages: What are consequential damages? Who can recover them and when?
Consequential damages are special damage- a kind of loss that is special to the P. Limited to damages arising from P’s special circumstances and recovery of consequential is limited to situations in which the D had reason to know of these special circumstances at the time of the contract.
Contracts/Sales: Formation of a Contract What are the basic concepts of the Statute of Frauds?
SoF is a statute designed to prevent fraudulent claims of the existence of a contract by making it harder to prove that a contract exists in certain circumstances. If a contract claim is “within the SoF,” then objective proof of a contract (usually through performance or a writing) must be provided in order for the litigant to get her/his day in court.
Contracts/Sales: Terms of the Contract When does a risk of loss problem arise?
(i) After the contract has been formed, but before the buyer receives the goods (ii) The goods are damaged or destroyed, and (iii) Neither the buyer nor the seller is to blame