Page 8 Flashcards
A unilateral contract is formed when an offeree does what?
Completes performance
What is the implied condition to a unilateral contract that is formed when an offeree completes performance?
The offeror had notice of the offeree’s performance within a reasonable time
If performance of a unilateral contract has happened in full, but there hasn’t been a notification, what happens?
The offeror’s obligation is discharged because of the failure
What must be used to give notice of a unilateral contract performance?
Reasonable diligence
On Feb 1 you write to your friend saying if he will guarantee your mom’s debt you will reimburse him for any losses.
On March 1 he guaranteed to Costco a debt of your mom and on March 3, before he gave you notice, you phone him and revoke the offer. Is that effective?
No, because the contract was formed when he completed performance by making the guarantee, and a reasonable time to notify you had not yet elapsed
What is the exception when notice isn’t required for a unilateral contract performance?
- the offeror expressly/impliedly waives notice
- performance would come to his attention within a reasonable time in the normal course of things
- performance does come to his attention within a reasonable time
If you begin a requested performance on a contract for the sale of goods, and don’t notify the offeror within a reasonable time, what happens?
He can treat the offer as having lapsed before acceptance
If you perform a requested act without knowledge of the offer, is there a contract?
No
What is the minority rule in reward cases?
A contract is formed even if the offeree doesn’t know about the offer, because people should be encouraged to do good things in hope of getting a reward
If the offer wasn’t your principal motive for performing, has a contract still been formed?
Yes
What is the exception to the rule that an offer doesn’t have to be your primary motive for performance in order for a contract to still be formed?
If an act is done involuntarily, there’s probably no contract
If someone offers a reward for information about a burglary and a friend of the burglar knows about the reward and is questioned by the police, then threatened and gives up information that leads to the arrest of the burglar, would he be able to collect the reward?
Probably not, because he probably acted involuntarily, and that wouldn’t form a contract
If a general contractor uses a sub-contractor’s bid, what is the way to accept?
Through assent, not the act of using the bid
In a bilateral contract, what kind of intent to accept is irrelevant?
Subjective
Bilateral offers require communication of acceptance of a promise to perform, but what is the other acceptable way?
Can be by silence if acceptance is implicit and the relationship of the parties justifies it, or if the parties mutually agreed on it
Bilateral contracts can only be accepted by what?
A promise, not an act
Who is the master of an offer?
Offeror
Does a bilateral promise have to be verbal?
No, it can be implied from conduct, or an act that was designated by the offer to show a promise
On January 2 you say to Phil that you will pay him $500 to paint your house if he finishes by January 10 and you tell him he has to promise by January 5. On January 4 he starts painting while you are away, then January 5 you call and revoke. Is there a contract?
No because your offer was a bilateral one and can only be accepted by a promise, so since Phil made no promises, the revocation is effective
On January 2 you say to Phil that you will pay him $500 to paint your house if he finishes by January 10 and you tell him he has to promise by January 5. On January 4 he starts painting while you are away, then January 5 you call and revoke. Is there a contract based on reasonable reliance?
No, because it was unreasonable for Phil to start painting before accepting your offer, and only reasonable reliance prevents an offer from being revoked
If you’re next to your fence and you tell your neighbor you’ll give him $200 if he agrees to paint it, and he picks up a brush and starts painting, has a contract been formed?
Yes because your offer required acceptance by promise, and under those circumstances a promise was implied
On Nov 1 you send a purchase order to Fran for a machine with shipment on Dec 1 that says the order becomes a contract when approved by her CEO. On Nov 3 the CEO gives approval, and Nov 4, before Fran has given notice of approval, you call and revoke. Is the revocation effective?
No, because the contract was formed when the CEO gave approval
What are the testable components of a bilateral acceptance?
- commitment
- communicated the right way
- effective on dispatch
If a commitment doesn’t perfectly match what was offered, it is considered what?
A new/different term
What are the two ways an acceptance can be communicated?
- the way the offer says
- or if it is silent, it can be accepted the same way it came or using another reasonable method
What is considered a reasonable method when it comes to accepting an offer?
- one that is as fast or faster
- and as legally dependable as the way the offer came