Lesson 5 Flashcards
What is a contract?
A contract is a voluntary agreement between two or more parties that is enforceable by law.
What do contracts set for the parties involved?
Contracts set the rights and duties (obligations) of the parties involved.
Does a general contract need to be written to be valid?
No, a general contract need not be written; it can be formed verbally or by conduct without specific form or formalities.
What are the four legal elements required to form a contract?
The four elements are: a) Offer b) Acceptance c) Consideration d) Intention to create legal relations
What must a contract have to ensure certainty and completeness?
A contract must have Certainty and Completeness, often referred to as the 3Ps: Parties, Price, and Property.
What is an offer in contract law?
An offer is an expression of willingness to enter into an agreement, also referred to as a proposal
Who are the two parties involved in making an offer?
The party making the offer is called the offeror, and the person receiving the offer is called the offeree.
How can an offer be made?
An offer can be made in writing, verbally, or by conduct.
What is required for an offer to be effective?
An effective offer must be communicated to the offeree.
If the offeror sends an offer letter on Monday and it reaches the offeree on Wednesday, when is the offer considered made?
The offer is considered made on Wednesday when the offeree receives it.
Is invitation to treat an offer?
No
Give 3 examples of invitation to treat
- Display of goods with price tags
- Auction
- Advertisement
What is the general rule regarding the withdrawal of an offer?
An offer can be withdrawn at any time prior to it being accepted.
How must the withdrawal of an offer (revocation) be communicated?
The withdrawal of the offer must be communicated to the offeree to be valid.
Who can communicate the revocation of an offer?
The withdrawal of the offer can be made by a third party, not necessarily the original offeror. The offeree must have knowledge of the revocation.
Can an offer that is open for a fixed period be withdrawn without legal liability?
Yes, an offer open for a fixed period can be withdrawn by the offeror without legal liability.
Is there an obligation to keep an offer for any particular time?
No, except through an Option to Purchase, which must be supported by consideration.
What happens when an offer is replaced by a fresh offer?
The fresh offer must stipulate that it supersedes the earlier offer.
How can a fresh offer be communicated?
A fresh offer can be communicated with a letter stating that it replaces the previous offer.
What occurs if an offer is made with a deadline for acceptance?
The offer expires after the deadline.
What happens if there is no deadline set for an offer?
The court assumes the offer lapses after a reasonable time.
What is meant by “failure of a condition” regarding an offer?
If an offer is made subject to a condition and that condition is not met, the offer automatically terminates.
How does the death of the offeror or offeree impact an offer?
If the offeror or offeree dies, the offer is terminated, even if the other party was not aware of the death.
How can an offer be rejected?
Rejection can be made in writing, verbally, or by conduct and must be communicated, leading to the inability to revive the offer.
What is a counter offer?
A counter offer is when the offeree rejects the original offer and proposes new conditions, which constitutes a rejection of the initial offer.
What is acceptance in contract law?
Acceptance is an expression of approval to the offer proposed by the offeror.
How must acceptance be structured in relation to the offer?
Acceptance must be unconditional and unqualified; it must be on the same terms as the offer with no new conditions attached.
What happens if acceptance includes new conditions?
If acceptance is conditional, it constitutes a counter-offer rather than acceptance of the original offer.
How must acceptance be conveyed to the offeror?
Acceptance can be made in writing, verbally, or by conduct.
What is an example of prescribed acceptance?
If the seller grants an Option to Purchase, the buyer must exercise the acceptance copy of the OTP and hand it over to the seller or the seller’s solicitor.
What is the Postal Rule of Acceptance?
The Postal Rule states that if the offeree accepts the offer and sends it by post, the acceptance is effective as soon as the letter is posted, regardless of whether the letter reaches the offeror.
Does silence amount to an acceptance?
No
Can an acceptance be withdrawn after being communicated to the offeror?
No
What is consideration in contract law?
Consideration is something of legally recognized value given in exchange for a promise or performance.
What does consideration refer to when exchanged between parties?
Consideration refers to a promise made by one party in exchange for a promise made by the other party (executory consideration).
Is consideration always monetary in business transactions?
No, while consideration is often money, it is not restricted to monetary value; it can be any form of value exchanged.
What does the requirement that consideration must be sufficient but not necessarily adequate mean?
The law does not scrutinize the fairness of the bargain; even a nominal amount (e.g., $1) can be sufficient to enforce a contract.
What is the principle regarding past consideration in contracts?
Past consideration is not considered valid consideration; a promise based on past actions cannot be enforced.
What is the role of intention to create legal relations in contract law?
Intention to create legal relations is the element that converts an agreement into a contract, indicating that the parties intend to be legally bound by their agreement.
What is the formula for a valid contract?
Offer + Acceptance = Agreement; Agreement + Intention + Consideration = Contract.
What is meant by “meeting of the minds”?
A meeting of the minds is an agreement between parties where each party is fully aware of the commitments being made, reflecting their mutual intention to contract.
Why is contractual intention essential?
Contractual intention is necessary for an enforceable contract because it ensures that the parties intend to enter a legal relationship.
What presumption exists for business and commercial agreements?
For commercial transactions, the State Court of Singapore will presume that there is always an intention to create legal relations.
What presumption exists for social and domestic agreements?
In social and domestic agreements, there is no presumption of intention to be legally bound, meaning such agreements are generally not enforceable.
What does “subject to contract” mean in legal terms?
“Subject to contract” clauses indicate that an agreement is incomplete and not legally binding until the terms of a formal contract have been settled.
What happens if an agreement is incomplete?
An incomplete agreement is considered an unenforceable contract, meaning it cannot be legally enforced until finalized.