Module 4: Discharge of Contract Flashcards
What are the 5 ways a contract may come to an end?
Agreement Performance Frustration Novation Breach
How would a contract come to an end by agreement?
Both parties agree
In England should be supported by consideration
How would a contract come to an end by performance?
Both parties fully perform their obligations
Most common
How would a contract come to an end by frustration?
After contract has been formed
Becomes impossible or illegal to perform the contract
How would a contract come to an end by novation?
Where a new obligation is substituted for a prior one
All liability of the prior obligation is extinguished
Contract must expressly provide that the new obligation is in substitution
Must be by mutual agreement
What is Frustration?
Events subsequent to the making of the contract may affect it so that performance becomes impossible, illegal or radically different
Without either at fault
Deemed to be frustrated and discharged from their obligations
Tsakiroglou and Co Lrd v Noblee Thorl 1962
Charter of ship to transport groundnuts
Suez Canal was closed after the contract was concluded
Not frustrated as ship could go alternate route
Greater cost not so fundamentally different
What type of contracts can be frustrated?
Happens to valid contracts
Does not make it void
Remedy for frustration?
No damages payable since neither party at fault
Any money already paid must be repaid subject to any deductions for part performance
Frustration with a contract involving delectus personae?
Frustrated by death or illness of one of the parties
Change in law after contract formed that renders performance illegal?
Lead to contract frustrated
In England where are the rules on frustration found?
Statutory Law Reform (Frustrated Contracts) Act 1943
What constitutes a breach of contract?
When either party refuses or fails, without legal justification, to perform in an acceptable manner any of the things which he is required by contract to do
Remedies for material breach/breach of a condition?
Greater remedies including right to bring the contract to an end and make a claim for damages
Remedies for non-material breach/breach of warranty?
No right to bring to an end
Claim damages or some other remedy
3 possible types of breach?
Failure to perform the contract
Delayed performance
Defective performance
What is failure to perform the contract?
Refuses or fails to carry out
Repudiation of the contract
A material breach that entitles the innocent party to withdraw
What is delayed performance?
Not performed on the due date
Was delay material/breach of a condition?- rescind
Not material/breach of warranty?- claim damages