Formation Flashcards
Contract
Definition: any legally enforceable agreement
express contract
contract created by the parties’ words (oral or written)
implied-in-fact contract
created by the parties’ conduct.
(e.g. person goes into barbershop and sits into the chair)
Restitution (Quasi-Contract)
- Protects against unjust enrichment whenever contract law yields an unfair result.
- Measured by reasonable fair market value of the benefit that P/counter-claimant conferred.
- NOT measured by the k terms. (e.g. $10 mil per movie in k, only did one movie. You don’t automatically get $10 mil. Ct must determine fair mkt value the p gave to the movie company).
- It is the remedy of last resort
Bilateral Contract
Contract where an offer can be accepted in any reasonable way,
i.e. an offer is open as to the method of acceptance.
Unilateral Contract
An offer can be accepted only by performing.
Cannot make a mutual promise an acceptance.
How to determine if a contract is a unilateral contract
Look for 3 magic words:
- offer
- only by
- or a reward offer.
Otherwise, assume it’s bilateral.
Offer
- a manifestation of an intention to be bound
- (as judged by a reasonable person/objective standard).
- first step of agreement formation process
Advertisement Rule
Advertisements are not an offer unless there’s a quantity and they indicate how you can accept
Indefiniteness
terms that are too indefinite to be enforced e.g. reasonable price
Indefiniteness exceptions:
- open price term in sales K
- Court will read in reasonable price for sale of goods but not CL.
- Outputs and requirements kx-
- Must be in good faith. No unfair surprise, e.g. can’t multiply order by 10 in one year. EVEN if in good faith. 1-3% is fine, but multiplying orders is likely not enforceable
Output kx
buyer buys all seller’s inventory
Requirements kx
buyer buys all the buyer needs
Bid
this term always means there’s an offer.
Termination Methods
- lapse of time
- revocation
- rejection
- death
Lapse of time
- as stated in K or after a reasonable time has passed.
- Watch out for dates separated by more than one month.
Revocation rule
- an offer can be revoked any time before acceptance.
- Offer terminates once revoked.
Revocation types
Direct and Indirect
Direct revocation
the offeror indicated directly to the offeree that he has changed his mind about entering the deal
Indirect revocation
The offeror engages in conduct that indicated she’s changed her mind and the offeree is aware of the conduct
e.g. offer to paint house, drive by and see it’s already painted