K Flashcards
1st question you ask when confronted with contract question
what law applies
1) common law
2) sale of goods (UCC)
second question you ask when confronted w K question
was a contract formed
Contract needs:
mutual assent (offer +acceptance)
+ consideration
(- absence of defenses)
types of contract
express: formed by words
implied: formed by conduct
quasi contract remedy
restitution
A bilateral contract is one consisting of the exchange of mutual
promises; that is,
a promise for a promise. Each party is both a
promisor and a promisee.
A bilateral contract offer can be accepted
in
any reasonable way.
A unilateral contract is one in which the offeror requests
performance
rather than a promise.
A unilateral contract, which
requires full performance, occurs in only two situations:
(1) when the
offeror clearly (unambiguously) indicates that completion of performance is the only manner of acceptance; and (2) where there is an
offer to the public, such as a reward offer.
“Goods” are
all things movable at the time they are identified as the
items to be sold under the contract.
Article 2 generally defines “merchant” as
one who regularly deals in goods of the kind sold or who otherwise
by their profession holds themselves out as having special knowledge or skills as to the practices or goods involved
A void contract is
one that is totally without any legal effect from the
beginning (for example, an agreement to commit a crime). It cannot
be enforced by either party
A voidable contract is one that
one or both parties may elect to
avoid, such as by raising a defense that makes it voidable, like
infancy or mental illness.
An unenforceable contract is
otherwise valid but isn’t enforceable
due to a defense, such as the statute of limitations or Statute of
Frauds.
For a communication to
be an offer, it must
create a reasonable expectation in the offeree
that the offeror is willing to enter into a contract on the basis of the
offered terms.
In deciding whether a communication creates this
reasonable expectation, ask:
Was there an expression of a promise, undertaking, or commitment to enter into a contract?
Were there certainty and definiteness in the essential terms?
Was there communication of the above to the offeree?
Advertisements, catalogs, circular letters, and the like containing
price quotations are usually construed as
mere invitations for
offers.
An offer must be definite and certain in its terms. The basic inquiry is
whether
enough of the essential terms have been provided so that a
contract including them is capable of being enforced.
offers usually must include
offerees name, offers subj matter, price
land sale offers must include
1) price
2) description of land
sale of goods offer must include:
quantity term
requirements contract
Buyer promises to buy from seller all good buyer requires
output contract
seller promises to sell to buyer all goods seller produces
employment contract; if the duration of the employment is not specified, the offer, if accepted, is
construed as
creating a contract terminable at the will of either party.
1) lapse of time
offer terminated if not accepted within reasonable time
2) rejection
offer terminates when the offeree rejects it
counter offer =
mere bargaining =
conditional acceptance=
rejection
doesnt equal rejection
rejection+ new offer
revocation
offeror’s retraction of offer
offer revoked indirectly if
1) offeree receives correct info
2) from reliable source
3) of offeror’s acts indicating revocation
revocations effective upon
receipt
option contract
offeree gives consideration for offeror to not revoke offer for period of time
merchants firm offer rule
merchant promises
in signed writing
to keep offer open for time stated or reasonable time
***enforceable for up to 3 months
detrimental reliance; When the offeror could reasonably expect that the offeree
would rely to their detriment on the offer, and the offeree does
so rely, the offer will be held
irrevocable as an option contract
for a reasonable length of time.
start performance of unilateral contract offer=
irrevocable offer
mere preparation to perform does not equal
start of performance
The following events will terminate an offer by operation of law:
a. Death or insanity of either party (unless the offer is of a kind
the offeror could not terminate, such as, an option supported by
consideration). Death or insanity need not be communicated to
the other party
b. Destruction of the proposed contract’s subject matter OR
c. Supervening illegality
A unilateral contract is not accepted until
performance is completed
improper shipment =
acceptance and breach
The shipment of nonconforming goods is an acceptance creating
a bilateral contract as well as a breach of the contract unless
the
seller seasonably notifies the buyer that a shipment of nonconforming goods is offered only as an accommodation
The buyer
is not required to accept accommodation goods and may reject
them. If the buyer rejects,
the shipper isn’t in breach and may
reclaim the accommodation goods, because the tender does not
constitute an acceptance of the buyer’s original offer.
Unless the offer provides otherwise, acceptance of an offer to enter
into a bilateral contract must be
communicated to the offeror
silence
does not equal acceptance
acceptance must ____ offer terms at common law
mirror
article 2: offerees additional term not part of K UNLESS
1) both are merchants
2) its not material and
3) offeror doesnt object
no mirror image rule under
article 2
material change?
causes hardship or surprise
If both parties to the contract are merchants, additional terms
in the acceptance will be included in the contract unless:
1) materially alter the original terms of the offer,
2) expressly limits acceptance to the terms of the offer
OR
3) offeror has already objected to the particular terms, or objects within a reasonable time after notice of them is received
mailbox rule
acceptance is effective when sent
industry custom is
not a material change
mailbox rule applies unless
1) offer states otherwise
2) offer is irrevocable
3) rejection sent before acceptance
forbearance can constitute ___
consideration
A promise given in exchange for something already done
does not
satisfy the bargain requirement
In general, courts ____ inquire into the adequacy or fairness of
consideration
do not
if something is entirely devoid of value
(token consideration),
it is insufficient.
preexisting legal duty rule
Traditionally, performing or promising to perform an existing legal
duty is insufficient consideration.
The preexisting legal duty rule is riddled with exceptions. There
is consideration if:
a) New or different consideration is promised;
b) The promise is to ratify a voidable obligation (for example, a
promise to ratify a minor’s contract after reaching majority or a
promise to go through with a contract despite the other party’s
fraud);
c) The preexisting duty is owed to a third person rather than to
the promisor;
d) There is an honest dispute as to the duty; OR
e) There are unforeseen circumstances sufficient to discharge a
party (such as impracticability), or under the modern view, if the
modification is fair and equitable in view of circumstances not
anticipated when the contract was made.
a good faith agreement modifying a contract subject to
the UCC needs____ to be binding.
no consideration
A debt can be discharged through an accord and satisfaction. In general, an accord must be supported by
consideration
Consideration is not necessary if the facts indicate that the promisor
should be estopped from not performing. A promise is enforceable if
necessary to prevent injustice if:
a. The promisor should reasonably expect to induce action or
forbearance, and
b. Such action or forbearance is in fact induced.
defendants w/o capacity can _____
disaffirm K
retaining benefits after gaining capacity =
implied affirmation
“Necessaries” are items necessary for subsistence, health, or
education (including food, shelter, clothing, and medical care).
A minor may disaffirm a contract for necessaries but will be
liable in _______ for the value of benefits received.
restitution
Contracts induced by ________are voidable and
may be rescinded as long as they are not affirmed.
duress or undue influence
If the contract includes a term with at least two possible meanings,
the result depends on the parties’ awareness of the ambiguity:
a. Neither party aware
no contract unless both parties intended
the same meaning;