Discharge of contract P3 Flashcards
What does Discharge of contract mean
The obligations of the contract have come to and end resulting in the end of a contract
What are the 4 ways to Discharge a contract
Agreement
Performance
Breach
Frustration
What is meant by Discharge of contract by Performance
Performance must be exact and complete for an ‘entire performance’
‘I’ve nearly finished the job, but not quite’
What are the two cases to show ‘Performance must be exact and complete’
Cutter V Powell (1795) - Sailor died before reaching contracted destination
Re Moore V landauer (1921) - Peaches order did not arrive in correct quantity listed
What are the four circumstances the courts accept to mitigate the harshness of Discharge by Performance
Substantial
Partial
Vicarious
time-based
What is Substantial performance
When work is almost finished and the court then orders the money to be paid, but deducts the amount needed to correct a minor defect
75%
Payment of amount appropriate to what was done
Only applies for breach of warranty (minor)
What case is used for Substantial performance
Hoeing V Isaacs (1852)
What is Partial performance
Some work has been done but degree of obligations have been done at a lesser standard to be classed as substantial performance
Paid on quantum merit basis (how much work has been done)
Must be consent in form of specific acknowledgement - default party entitled to pay for what they have done
if innocent party has no option but to take benefit of work done - not considered part-performance
Which case is used for Partial performance where D had no choice but to complete the work and C was entitled to only the cost of materials ussed by the D as D did not have to use these
Sumpter V hedges (1898)
What is meant by Vicarious performance
When a third party performs the contractual duty of another party
Other party cannot object this
What is the exception for Vicarious performance
Servcies contracted for rellies on skill or judgement of the party of the essence of the contract the other party can insist on personal performance
E.g if the purpose of the contract is to perform a gig, a third party cannot be contracted to do it
Which case shows Vicarious performance and why could the contract not be performed vicariously
Edwards V Newland (1950)
The personal skill and care of the warehouseman was ‘of the essence’. The transfer of work to anohter was not allowed
What is a Divisable contract
Contracts that are made up of various parts or obligations
Each part can be discharged seperately, but uncompletion of one does not breach the whole contract - sue for part of contract
Which case showed a Divisable contract and what was the contract split into
Taylor V Webb (1937)
1) Lease the premises and 2) Maintain and repair
Tenant still had to pay rent, didnt have to pay for landlord failure to cocmplete repairments
What is meant by a Discarge of contract by Breach
Failure to fulfill contractual obligations = breach of contract
When one part performs defectively or differently from what was agreed = actual breach
What are the two types of breach
Actual breach
Anticipatory breach
what is Anticipatory breach
When one party informs in advance that they will not be performing how they agreed
What did the case of Hochter V De La Tour (1853) establish for Anticipatory Breach
Anticipatory breach does not require C to waait untill the contract was due to start
Which case highlights that for Anticipatory breach you should sue as soon as you know someone is going to breach - dont wait
Avery V Bowden (1856)
What is Repudiatory breach of contract
Fundamental breach
When a party commits a breach of contract that is ssufficiently serious that it entitles the innocent party to repudiate