K Formation Flashcards
When has an offer been accepted? NOTE: NY Distinction
Yes, when… 1) When the the offer says so: the language of the offer cntrls E.g., the offer says “you can accept this offer by reporting for work on Monday”→you can only accept by showing up on Monday 2) Starting performance on a bilateral K: starting performance on a bilateral K is an implied obligation to FINISH NOTE: starting performance on a UNILATERAL K, is NOT acceptance (no obligation to finish!); ONLY finishing performance ISacceptance (REMEMBER: for MBE, once performance has begun, offeror CAN’T revoke offer; in NY, offeror can revoke up until completion) 3) Improper performance… Under common law is a SIMULTANEOUS acceptance AND breach Under Art. 2/UCC is SIMULATANOUS acceptance AND breach, UNLESS seller is sending the goods as an ACCOMODATION to buyer (this has to be made clear)→shipment is then a counteroffer (either the buyer accepts and pays FULL K price, OR she doesn’t and there are no damages) NOT, when… 1) Offeree remains silent (generally) E.g. “I’ll take your SILENCE as acceptance of this offer” TIMING…generally, acceptance is effective when MAILED (“Mailbox Rule”) NOTE: DOESN’T matter if the letter got lost in the mail; PROVIDED the letter was correctly addressed Compare with revocation by offeror, which is effective ONCE received by offeree EXCEPTIONS to Mailbox Rule Offer states otherwise (that the offer is effective once RECEIVED) Irrevocable offer, which must be RECEIVED by deadline Offeree sends REJECTION first, which makes it a RACE (i.e. whichever gets to offeror firstcntrl)
What is thedifference b/t a bilateral K and a unilateral K?
Bilateral K: an offer can generally be accepted in ANY reasonable way (“flexible”) Unilaterl K: an offer can be accepted ONLY by performing (“inflexible”) 2 typical fact patterns: Offer expressly says can only be accepted by performance Offer of reward, a contest or a prize NOTE: Look FIRST to see if there is an agmt, THEN see if it’s legally enforceable
What are the bodies of K law?
1) Art. 2 UCC: applies to a “sale of goods” “Goods” = movable, personal property Doesn’t MATTER if the parties are merchants or not In a “mixed K”, if goods are more significant, then UCC applies 2) K common law: applies to all other non-good Ks In a “mixed K”, if services are more significant, then common law applies On MBE: the lease of goods is classified as under COMMON LAW, but… NY DISTINCTION: 3) Art. 2A UCC: applies to a LEASE of goods (but NOT the lease of real property)
What is the “duress” defense?
Ks induced by duress or undue influence are VOIDABLE and may be recinded by ∆ (the intimdated party) as long as NOT affirmed NOTE: normally ECONOIMC duress is rare, BUT withholding something someone needs IS economic duress if: (i) the party threatens to commit a wrongful act that would threaten the other K-ing party’s finances; AND (ii) there are no adequate means available to prevent the threatened loss (BASICALLY economic extortion)
What is the “lack of capacity” defense? NOTE: NY Distinction
Categories = (i) minors; (ii)intoxicated; OR (iii) mentally incompetent General rule = an incapacitated ∆ MAY disaffirm the K (i.e. it’s VOIDABLE by ∆ ONLY) If there is IMPLIED affirmation (retaining the benefit ONCE (re-gaining capacity), then the K is no longer VOIDABLE An incapacitated party is liable for conferred NECESSITIES (e.g. food, shelter, clothing, medical care), but only for the reasonable value of the provisions (NOT the K price) NY DISTINCTIONS: 1) Certain Ks by infants CANNOT BE VOIDED Life insurance Ks by 14 yr olds + Educational loans by 16 yr olds + Realty K related to the marital home K involving artistic or athletic services 2) For mentally incapacitated Adjudicated incompetent→ K void Unadjudicated incompetent→ K NOT voidable UNLESS incompetent can restore other party to previous position
What is the “misrepresentation/non-disclosure” defense?
Depends on TYPE of misrepresentation: 1) Fraudulent misrepresentation/non-disclosure: If one induces another into a K by using a fraudulent misrepresentation/non-disclosure, the K is VOIDABLE if there is justified reliance 2) Non-fraudulent misrepresentation/non-disclosure: If one party innocently misrepresents/doesn’t disclose, the K is VOIDABLE if there is justified reliance AND the misrepresentation is MATERIAL
What is the “mistake” defense?
Two types of mistake… 1) Mutual mistake: if BOTH parties entering into a K are mistaken about a material fact that goes to the essence of the K, then the K is VOIDABLE by the adversely affected party BUT a mutual mistake as to value of an item is NOT considered material enough to be voidable 2) Unilateral mistake: if ONE party has a mistake, it’s generally does NOT render the K voidable EXCEPTION: if the nonmistaken party knew OR had reason to know of the mistake made by the other party, the K IS voidable by the mistaken party
What is the “no consideration” defense? NOTE: NY Distinction
Consideration = a “bargained for exchange”/”legal detriment”; a person can bargain for a promise, performance OR forbearance Past (moral) consideration (a promise given in exchange for something already done) ≠ real consideration! NY DISTINCTION: Past/moral consideration IS valid consideration IF it’s expressly stated in a signed writing and performance can be proven Adequacy of consideration is IRRELEVANT if there is a bargain (quid pro quo) Illusory promises are NOT enforceable (e.g. We agree that I can buy as many widgets AS I WANT for $100 each”; the quantity amt is TOO indefinite) K modification (common law vs. Art. 2/UCC) Common law: NEW consideration is required between ORIGINAL parties to modify a K [Preexisiting Duty Rule] NY DISTINCTION: don’t need NEW consideration if a signed writing embodies the modification Art. 2/UCC: consideration is NOT REQUIRED to modify a K, just need to show good faith Partial pmt of an EXISTING debtis not valid consideration (e.g. “I’ll pay $x in return for forgiving balance”); BUT… Time-bared (SOL) debt: a written promise to pay a debt which has been barred by SOL IS enforceable even w/o consideration EXCEPTION = Promissory estoppel FORSEEABLE reliance by promisee may make the promise enforceable even w/o consideration This is a “last resort” remedy by the ct
What is the “public policy” defense?
K can be VOID if violates public policy… 1) Covenant Not-to-compete: a ct will invalidate or narrow a convenant not to compete that operates as a restraint of trade, depending on… Scope of convenant (duration and geography): the farther in location and the longer in duration, the more likely void Need for convenant (uniqueness of services provided): top chef vs. bus boy 2) Exculpatory clause: can ltd liablity for negligence, BUT NOT gross negligence OR intentional torts
What is the “unconscionability” defense?
2 types… 1) Substantive: the TERMS are inherently unfair given relative bargaining pwrs (e.g. indentured servitude) 2) Procedural: the agmt PROCESS was unfair (e.g. sneaky terms in very small print) NOTE: generally “unconscionability” is NOT valid; act must “shock the conscience”
What are the 8defenses against formation of a K?
1) Lack of capacity(making the K voidable) 2) Duress (economic or physical) 3) Misrepresentaioninducing Agmt 4) Mutual mistake of a material fact at time of agmt 5) No consideration 6) Public policy 7) Unconscionability 8) Statute of Frauds (SOF)
What is the difference b/t express K and implied-in-fact K?
Express K = created by the parties’ WORDS (oral or written) vs. Implied-in-fact K = created by the parties’ CONDUCT
What are the 4 ways anoffer can be terminated?
1) Lapse: an offer lapses after a STATED TERM or a REASONABLE TIME has passed 2)Revocation (by offeror): an offer terminates once the offeror revokes the offer (before acceptance by offeree) 3) Rejection (by offeree): an offer terminates when the offeree rejects it (via inappropirate response) 4) Death: death of EITHER party before acceptance terminates a revocable offer, BUT NOT an irrevocable offer (i.e. an option)
What are the 3 waysan offeree reject an offer (termination)?
Rejection = an offer terminates when the offeree rejects it (by an inappropriate response) 1) Counteroffer: a valid COUNTEROFFER acts as a rejection by offeree (e.g. Offeree: “I will pay no more than X”) NOTE: mere bargaining does NOT act as a rejection 2) Conditional “accpetance”: is not an acceptance at all! It’s a rejection and counteroffer 3) Acceptance with an additional term added by offeree: common law and Art. 2/UCC differ Common law: acceptance must MIRROR the offer (the Mirror Image Rule), otherwise it’s a rejection via counteroffer Art. 2/UCC(Battle of the Forms): w/ the sale of goods, the offeree’s adding term DOES NOT prevent acceptance Art. 2 Offeree’s term IS included ONLY IF: both parties are MERCHANTS; the offer DOES NOT expressly ltd acceptance to the terms of the offer there is NO MATERIAL CHANGE (i.e. material = likely to cause hardship or surprise to offeror; NOTcustomary in industry); AND offeror DOES NOT OBJECT w/in a reasonable time Otherwise, the K is formed w/o the offeree’s addt’l term (which has to has to be expressly accpeted by offeror)
What is restitution (a quasi-K)?
An equitable remedy that protects against UNJUST ENRICHMENT Restitution is the remedy of LAST result Recovery in restitution is the REASONABLE VALUE of the benefit conferred (NOT the K price)