Formation Flashcards
Definition of a k
a. K is an agreement that is legally enforceable.
Overview of agreement process on the bar
a. to find agreement look for
i. offer (initial communication)
ii. termination of the offer (what happens after the initial communication) AND
iii. acceptance (who responds and how)
First, is the initial communication an offer?
a. Test: manifestation of commitment
iv. test: is RP in position of offeree would believe that his assent creates a k.
Possible problems of content with having a real offer
- Missing PRICE term in sales k
a. Sale of real estate—CL—price and land description REQUIRED in order for a communication to be an offer to buy or sell.
b. Sale of goods Art 2—communication can be offer to buy or sell w/o price IF PARTIES SO INTEND. Court will supply the term. - vague or ambiguous material terms not an offer under common law or the UCC
a. for ex: offer to sell for “fair/ appropriate/ reasonable price” is not an offer bc too vague.
c. how can a communication w no price b ok, but an offer for fair price is not ok.
i. bc if no price—possible that they’ve done biz before
ii. or that they were willing to commit w/o price
iii. but on the other hand if they’ve tried to say smth about price, but what they’re saying is still vague or unsettled, means they’re not at commitment, still working it out - Requirements contracts/ output contracts –> allowed so long as NOT vague or ambiguous
can increase demands so long as the increase is in line with prior demands, not in an unreasonably disproportionate manner.
Possible problems of context in having a valid offer
- general rules: an ad or price quote is NOT an offer
- exceptions:
a. ad can be unilateral offer if it is in the nature of a reward. for ex $100 reward to anyone catches the flu after using its smoke ball as directed
b. Ad can be an offer if it specifies quantity and expressly indicates who can accept. For ex: 1 fur coat $10—first come first served
c. Price quote can be an offer if sent in response to an inquiry
4 ways of terminating an offer
lapse of time– either time stated or reasonable time, death of party prior to acceptance, words or conduct of the OR (revocation) , words of the offeree (rejection)
Revocation
Revocation through words or conduct of OR, i.e. revocation. Only person who can revoke is the OR (EE may reject).
- later UNAMBIGUOUS statement by OR to EE of unwillingness or inability
OR - later UNAMBIGUOUS conduct by OR indicating an unwillingness or inability to k that EE is aware of
- Multiple offers are not a revocation. If I make an offer to one,and an offer to another, and first offeree finds out of multiple offers ≠ revocation until first offeree learns that another offer has ACTUALLY gone through.
What offers are irrevocable?
4 situations of irrevocable offers: options, firm offers, foreseeable detrimental reliance, part performance on unilateral k
1. Option: when OR has
a. promised not to revoke (to keep it open)
AND
b. this promise is supported by a payment or other consideration (option)
c. Irrevocable even by the party who bought the option, for ex. if he repudiates before time is up
- UCC “Firm offer rule”: offer cannot be revoked for up to 3 MONTHS if
1) for goods, 2) signed and writing 2) party is a merchant 3) reasonable time period under 3 months
d. If no time period stated, courts will supply time period up to 3 months what they think is reasonable
i. as logn as there’s still a clear offer not to revoke.
ii. If period longer than 3 mos is provided, court will whittle it down to 3 months
e. unlike option, you don’t have to have consideration to keep the option open. - Reliance – third way offer becomes irrevocable: if
a. reliance
b. that is reasonably foreseeable
c. AND detrimental
d. “bid” = offer
i. for ex. subcontractor making a bid that contractor relies on. Irrevocable - Unilateral k: start of performance pursuant to offer to enter into a unilateral k makes that offer irrevocable for a reasonable time to complete performance. Mere preparation is not enough to make an offer irrevocable.
a. acceptance “only by” performance.
b. Mere preparation is not enough, for ex buying painit in preparation for contract is not enough.
Method of acceptance
i. OR can control the method of acceptance (e.g. offer can say acceptance only by performance), or time that a distance acceptance is effective (effective only when received) or whether EE must give notice of acceptance by performance.
Is starting to perform an aceptance
i. General rule: start of performance is acceptance. Treated as implied promise to perform. if OR may not find out otherwise, offeree must give offeror notice within reasonable time or offeror may be discharged.
ii. Exception: start of performance is not acceptance of unilateral k offer. COMPLETION of performance is required.
but start of substantial performance of a unilateral k makes that k irrevocable for a reasonable amount of time.
2. Unilateral k cannot be accepted by a promise.
3. EE not contractually obligated to finish performance of unilateral k.
4. If EE stops performing halfway through, not a breach
Mailbox rule
i. First: all communications other than acceptance are effective only when received
ii. Second, acceptance is GENERALLY effective when mailed
iii. Third, if a rejection is mailed before an acceptance is mailed, then neither is effective until received
1. for ex: rejection mailed aug 8. aug 9, changes his mind and mails acceptance. whatever arrives first controls.
iv. Fourt, you cannot use the mailbox rule to meet an option deadline
Acceptance if seller sends the wrong goods
- Third possible acceptance fact pattern: the seller sends the “wrong” goods:
a. General rule: acceptance and breach
b. Accomodation (i.e. explanation) exceptions: counteroffer and no breach.
Who can accept an offer
i. Generally an offer can be accepted only by
1. a person who knows about offer at time of acceptance
a. relevant for rewards and prizes—if you find dog not knowing of reward, not acceptance of offer
2. the person to whom it was made, ORs cannot be assigned, options can be assigned unless the option otherwise provides.
Auction contract accpetance
i. Sale by auction complete when the auctioneer so announces by the fall of the hammer.
ii. Auction sale is with reserve unless the goods are explicitly put up without reserve
1. with reserve—means the auctioneer may withdraw the goods at any time until he announces completion of the sale.
Legal reasons not to enforce an agreement, list
a. k is more than agreement, some agreements are not enforceable.
b. Legal reasons to not enforce an agreement include
i. lack of consideration for the promise at issue
ii. lack of capacity
iii. SOF
iv. existing laws prohibiting performance
v. public policy
vi. misrepresentations
vii. nondisclosure
viii. duress
ix. unconscionability
x. ambiguity in words
xi. mistakes at the time of the agreement as to the material facts
Lack of consideration. What is consideration
- Reason for non-enforcement: lack of consideration/consideration substitute
a. What is consideration? To determine
i. First, identify the person who is not doing as promised
ii. Second, ask whether that person bargained for something
iii. Third, look at the person who is trying to enforce the promise and ask what their bargained-for legal detriment is
ii. Bargained for: asked for by the promisor IN EXCHANGE for her promises.
iii. Legal detriment: anything that takes away a right, even if it’s not something you’d have done anyways.
Promise as consideration
one promise can be consideration for another promise. for ex promise to sell and promise to buy
- unless it’s an illusory promise.
a. illusory promise—one you have the right to terminate at time. “I promise to do this unless I change my mind.” not a promise.
i. never the right answer on bar
b. A need to give advance notice is a bargained for detriment, tho
Adequacy of consideration
nominal/sham consideration not on bar. amount is irrelevant.
Past consideration
- General rule: not consideration.
a. for ex: A saves B’s life. C then promises to pay $3k for saving life, but C changes his mind. no consideration. no bargained for exchange. - Exception: expressly requested by promiser AND expectation of payment by promisee
a. For ex: if C sees B in danger and asks A to save B, knowing that A will expect to be paid. Later C promises 3k, and yes k
Preexisting contractual or statutory duty rule
a. To modify contract, generally requires new consideration. Because doing what you already are legally obligated to do –> not new consideration
c. Exception: 3p promise to pay.
i. or 3P agrees to pay the additional amount is allowed, even if no new consideration.
but suretyship must still satisfy SOF
d. Exception: something unexpected happened after the contract made.
i. for ex. in concert hall speakers stop working, and A offers B $5k more to still perform.
- Article 2: does not have a preexisting legal duty rule. New consideration is not required to modify a sale of goods contract. Good faith is the test for changes to an existing sale of goods k.
a. merchants often know real price, might mess up. they do biz w each other a lot. want them to be able to bind themselves instead of breaching.
Part payment as consideration for release, i.e. promise to forgive balance of debt:
If due and undisputed, then part payment is NOT consideration for release.
1. there’s no new detriment for D.
If not yet due or disputed
early payment or part payment of disputed debt MAY be consideration for release.
early payment/ giving up dispute is a legal detriment
Consideration substiutes
i. substitutes:
1. a written promise to pay an obligation for which there is a legal defense is enforceable without consideration
a. for ex defense of SOL, but D promises C he’ll pay anyways. still enforceable k.
- Promissory estoppel– leading someone to detrimentally rely will sub for consideration
1) promise and 2) reliance that is reasonable, detrimental and foreseeable
b. Comparison of consideration and promissory estoppel
i. look for consideration first and only then go to promissory estoppel.
ii. an act/ detriment may not be bargained for, but it may still be promissory estoppel.
1. someone does something they weren’t asked to do. but the other party should have anticipated you’d do it anyways/