mistake. so sad to be a mistake. Flashcards
every contract contains risks of:
non performance, unexpected event occurring, unexpected fact occurring
contract risk
either a lack of complete and accurate factual info at the the time of contracting OR a lack of clairvoyance as the the course of subsequent events impacting the performance of the contract or the value of such performance to the contracting parties (something happens and you’ve assumed the risk)
who will bear the risk?
allocated expressly in the parties contract or through general default rules through the UCC.
sellers risk
bear the greater risk in relation to performance
buyers risk
greater risk related to the value of the goods
misrepresentation
misrepresentation: fact, that was material, that was justifiably relied upon by the victim, reasonably relied upon to the victim’s detriment, injury resulted
mistake (mutual) has the 3 MS
mistake of fact
materail
mutually made
mistake
mistake is a belief that is not in accord with the facts
mistake of fact
at time of contract. recoverable
mistake of law
at time of contracting. recoverable.
mistake of prediction (future facts/events)
not recoverable
mistake of opinion
not recoverable
what is material
mistake is large or serious and has an impact on the agreed exchange
the resulting imbalance is so severe that a party cannot be fairly required to carry out the contract
mutual mistake
-both parties
at time contract was made to a basic assumption, material effect, unless he bears the risk of the mistake under 154
unilateral mistake
where a mistake of one party at the time a contract was made as to basic assumption on which he made the contract has a material effect, unless he bears the risk of the mistake AND either the effect would make it unconscionable or the other party had reason to know of the mistake and his fault caused the mistake
basic assumption
death-well duh
destruction-of specific thing necessary for contract (house)
courts manipulate the substance v quality problem to get what they want in classic sherwood
modern restatement
focus is not on substance or quality but rather on materiality
mutual mistake (which blameless party bears the loss)
under 152-voidable if at time contract was made the basic assumption, material effect, must not be one to which the party seeking relief bears the risk
under 154-party bears risk when it is allowed to him by the agreement or he has limited knowledge and accepts that fact
mutual mistake remedy-avoidance
cancellation or termination of a contract
mutual mistake remedy
default rule is rescission and restitution
mutual mistake remedy -reformation
typographical error or overlooked format issue
historical unilateral mistake
had to obvious palpable mistake, truly one sided
modern unilateral mistake
no longer requires obvious mistake. plus effect would be unconscionable or other party knew/had reason to know of mistake
unilateral contract 4 prong test
mistake was induced by party seeking to benefit, no negligence, denial would be inequitable, position of opposing party has not so changed that it would be unjust
requires non-negligence of requesting party