If there is an enforceable deal, what are its terms? Flashcards
What is the effect of the Parol Evidence Rule on fully integrated contracts?
Precludes evidence of prior and contemporaneous agreements and negotiations that add to or contradict writing
What the effect of the Parol Evidence Rule on partially integrated contracts if evidence is inconsistent with written terms?
Evidence is inadmissible
What is the effect of the Parol Evidence Rule on partially integrated contracts if evidence is of consistent, additional terms?
Evidence is admissible
Under common law, what is the effect of integration?
Discharges prior agreements to the extent that is it inconsistent with them
Under common law, what is an integrated agreement?
Writing or writings constituting final expression of one or more terms of an agreement
Under common law, what question must be determined by court to determine questions of interpretation or whether PER can be applied?
Whether agreement is integrated
Under common law, are contracts assumed to be fully integrated or not integrated?
Assumed to be fully integrated unless evidence showing otherwise is presented
Under UCC, can terms of integrated agreement be contradicted by evidence of prior or contemporaneous agreement?
No
Under UCC, can terms of integrated agreement be explained or supplemented?
Yes
Under UCC, what three elements are admissible to explain or supplement terms of an integrated agreement?
- Course of performance
- Course of dealing
- Usage of trade
Under UCC, when are consistent, additional terms not admissible?
When the court finds the writing to have been intended as a complete, exclusive statement of the terms of agreement
When is parol evidence admissible (9 exceptions)?
- Collateral (separate) agreements
- Ambiguity of terms
- Consistent additional terms (only when partially integrated)
- Conditions precedent
- Course of dealings, course of performance, trade usage
- Consideration
- Defenses to enforceability
- Context rule
- Conduct
Under UCC, what evidence is admissible regardless of whether contract is integrated or ambiguous?
- Course of performance
- Course of dealing
- Usage of trade
Course of performance
Same parties in same contract where
- Transaction involves repeated occasions for performance by party and
- Other party with knowledge of nature of performance and opportunity for objection, accepts performance or acquiesces in it without objection
Course of dealing
Same parties in earlier similar contracts where
1. Transaction is fairly regarded as establishing common basis of understanding for interpreting their expressions and other conduct
Usage of trade
Other parties in same industry where
- Any practice or method of dealing has such regularity in a place, vocation or trade as to justify expectation for such
- And existence and scope of such usage is proved by facts
What is the order of preference/priority to trade usage, course of performance, and course of dealing?
- Course of performance
- Course of dealing
- Trade usage
What is interpretation of trade usage if established by trade code or similar record?
Question of law
Under common law, can a court use gap-fillers?
No, contract must be sufficiently definite to enable court to ascertain its meaning
Under common law, what happens if material terms are missing from agreements?
There is no contract
Under common law, how sufficiently definite must a contract be?
Enough to enable a court to ascertain its meaning
Under UCC, can a contract exist when material terms are missing?
Yes
Under UCC, what material missing term cannot be filled in?
Quantity
UCC Gap-Fillers
- Payment
- Price
- Date of delivery
- Delivery location
- Performance particulars
What implied promises are contained in all contracts?
- Good faith
- Fair dealing
- Reasonable efforts for performance