MBE Contracts Flashcards
What are the elements for a contract?
Offer, acceptance, consideration
Can a person revoke an offer?
Yes
When can a person no longer revoke and offer?
1) Other person has already accepted
2) Irrevocable under option contract
What are the two ways to revoke an offer?
1) Direct revocation
2) Indirect revocation
What is direct revocation?
Telling the other person directly
What is indirect revocation?
Person learns from another source that’s not you
In indirect revocation, when does offeree lose right to accept?
As soon as he learns that offeror made a deal with someone else
Who can reject an offer?
The person who received the offer
What is an option contract?
“Promise to keep this open for you for 5 days”
Is an option contract revocable?
No
Do you need additional consideration for an option contract?
Yes
Who can enter into an option contract?
Lay people (non-merchants)
If no time stated in option contract, what is the duration?
Reasonable time
What is a firm offer?
Promise to keep an offer open, but between merchants
What is the maximum amount of time for a firm offer?
3 months
Does a firm offer need to be in writing?
Yes
Does a firm offer need additional consideration?
No
What is a unilateral contract?
A promise for performance
When is something irrevocable in a unilateral contract?
Once you begin performance
What is a bilateral contract?
Promise for promise
How can someone accept an offer?
In any reasonable manner, as long as manifesting (expressing) intent, unless specifying manner of acceptance
What is the mailbox rule?
As soon as you send letter of acceptance, acceptance is effective when sent
What happens if you send rejection before acceptance?
The letter that arrives first wins
What is consideration?
Bargained for exchange
Does fair market value matter for consideration?
No
Is a promise to give a gift enforceable consideration?
No
Is there consideration if after act person offers you something?
No. Did it on your own so no bargain for exchange
Who is an incidental beneficiary?
Benefit is incidental/by accident
When does an incidental beneficiary’s rights vest?
Never
Who is an intended beneficiary?
Two original parties intended to benefit third person
When does intended beneficiary rights vest?
1) When beneficiary is notified
2) When beneficiary learns of the right and begins to rely
Can you generally assign/delegate rights/duties?
Yes
Is either notice or consent required to assign/delegate?
No
Who can you sue if old party assigned/delegated rights/duties?
Both old and new party, unless novation between original parties
Can new party to an agreement change terms of the original agreement?
No
What if specified that you cannot assign your rights under a contract?
Assignment is still valid but owe damages for breaching that promise
What if the contract says any assignment or delegation is void?
The provision saying void is enforceable. Delegation or assignment is void.
What if contract says you can’t delegate?
Duty cannot be delegated
If contract is for unique skill/talent/service/special, can you give that contract to someone else?
No
When is statute of frauds applicable?
M- Marriage Y- Year or more L- Land E- Executor G- Guarantor S- Sale of goods of more than $500
What is the statute of frauds exception?
If there has been part or full performance already
What is parol evidence?
Oral communications prior to or contemporaneous with the contract
Can parol evidence come in?
Depends if partially or fully integrated
If contract is fully integrated can parol evidence come in?
ONLY to clear up any ambiguity
If contract is partially integrated can parol evidence come in?
Only consistent additional terms admitted. No material alterations allowed or anything that conflicts.
If hypothetical is silent, assume partial or full integration of a contract?
Partial integration
When is parol evidence always going to be allowed in?
1) To show condition precedent
2) To prevent fraud or duress
3) In sale of good, course of dealing/trade/custom
What is course of dealing?
How we have always done business
What is trade/custom?
What happens in the industry
What is a condition?
Something has to occur or not occur that either makes the party perform or discharge
What does it mean to waive a condition?
Remove obligation from meeting terms of condition. Any language saying you don’t have to do that anymore
What is a legal remedy?
Money
What are expectation damages?
Placing a person in the position they were before performing the contract
When can someone get expectation damages?
When damage is foreseeable
What are liquidated damages?
Clause where we decide the amount of damages at the time we entered into the contract
When are liquidated damages enforceable?
Always as long as not acting as a penalty
What is restitution?
Breaching party can recover the reasonable value of work done minus any damages they caused
When is specific performance granted?
When contract is unique
Why do courts grant injunctions?
To prevent irreparable harm
When do you get rescission?
When there is no meeting of the minds (mistake, misrepresentation)
Does a modification need to be written?
No. Can be oral or written
Under common law, do you need additional consideration to modify a contract?
Yes
Under UCC, do you need additional consideration to modify a contract?
No, only good faith
What is a non-conforming good?
Sent you the wrong thing
What happens if sent a non-conforming good prior to the date set out in the contract?
If seller says he can fix it, must give right to cure
What if sent non-conforming good with reasonable belief that buyer would accept the goods?
Must give seller the right to cure (as long as can fix within a reasonable time)
What happens if sent non-conforming goods under an installment contract (periodically/several shipments)?
One non-conforming shipment is not a material breach, but still owe damages. UNLESS that installment impairs the value of the entire contract
For total breach, do you have to sue after agreed upon date?
No, can sue beforehand too
For anticipatory repudiation, when you demand assurances?
If given reason to doubt whether party will perform
When does promissory estoppel come into play?
When there is no contract (one party promises and that promise induces detrimental reliance)
What is detrimental reliance?
Doing something you would not ordinarily do
When is something impossible?
When nobody can objectively perform
What is impracticability?
Can still physically do it, but due to unforeseen circumstances, performance is now so difficult it would be unfair
What is a unilateral mistake?
One party is mistaken
Is unilateral mistake a defense?
Not usually, unless other party knew of your mistake and took advantage