Remedies Flashcards
Restatement § 344 Purposes of Remedies
Judicial remedies under the rules stated in this Restatement serve to protect one or more of the following interests of a promisee:
(a) his “expectation interest,” - as good as if the contract was completed
(b) his “reliance interest,” - as good a position as contract had not been made, or
(c) his “restitution interest,” getting back any benefit that he has conferred on the other party.
Restatement § 344 Purposes of Remedies Three Interests
A contracts to build a building for B on B’s land for $100,000. B repudiates the contract before either party has done anything in reliance on it. It would have cost A $90,000 to build the building.
A has an expectation interest of $10,000, the difference between the $100,000 price and his savings of $90,000 in not having to do the work. Since A has done nothing in reliance, A’s reliance interest is zero. Since A has conferred no benefit on B, A’s restitution interest is zero.
Restatement § 344 Purposes of Remedies Three Interests
A contracts to build a building for B on B’s land for $100,000. It would have cost A $90,000 to build the building. B repudiates after A has spent $60,000 of the $90,000. A has been paid nothing and can salvage nothing from the $60,000 that he has spent.
A now has an expectation interest of $70,000, the difference between the $100,000 price and his saving of $30,000 in not having to do the work. A also has a reliance interest of $60,000, the amount that he has spent. If the benefit to B of the partly finished building is $40,000, A has a restitution interest of $40,000.
Restatement § 347 Measure of Damages in General
How to
Subject to the limitations stated in §§ 350- 53, the injured party has a right to damages based on his expectation interest as measured by
(a) the loss in the value to him of the other party’s performance caused by its failure or deficiency, plus
(b) any other loss, including incidental or consequential loss, caused by the breach, less
(c) any cost or other loss that he has avoided by not having to perform.
Restatement § 347 Measure of Damages in General Loss in Value
A contracts to publish a novel that B has written. A repudiates the contract and B is unable to get his novel published elsewhere.
B’s damages include the loss of royalties that he would have received had the novel been published together with the value to him of the resulting enhancement of his reputation.
Restatement § 347 Measure of Damages in General Loss in Value
A, a manufacturer, contracts to sell B, a dealer in used machinery, a used machine that B plans to resell. A repudiates and B is unable to obtain a similar machine elsewhere.
B’s damages include the net profit that he would have made on resale of the machine.
Restatement § 347 Measure of Damages in General Other Loss
A contracts to employ B for $10,000 to supervise the production of A’s crop, but breaks his contract by firing B at the beginning of the season. B reasonably spends $200 in fees attempting to find other suitable employment through appropriate agencies.
B can recover the $200 incidental loss in addition to any other loss suffered, whether or not he succeeds in finding other employment.
Restatement § 347 Measure of Damages in General Other Loss
A leases a machine to B for a year, warranting its suitability for B’s purpose. The machine is not suitable for B’s purpose and causes $10,000 in damage to B’s property and $15,000 in personal injuries.
B can recover the $25,000 consequential loss in addition to any other loss suffered.
Restatement § 347 Measure of Damages in General Cost or Other Loss Avoided
A contracts to build a hotel for B for $500,000 and to have it ready for occupancy by May 1. B’s occupancy of the hotel is delayed for a month because of a breach by A.
The cost avoided by B as a result of not having to operate the hotel during May is subtracted from the May rent lost in determining B’s damages.
Restatement § 347 Measure of Damages in General Cost or Other Loss Avoided
A contracts to build a house for B for $100,000. When it is partly built, B repudiates the contract and A stops work. A would have to spend $60,000 more to finish the house.
The $60,000 cost avoided by A as a result of not having to finish the house is subtracted from the $100,000 price lost in determining A’s damages. A has a right to $40,000 in damages from B, less any progress payments that he has already received.
Restatement § 347 Measure of Damages in General Cost or Other Loss Avoided
A contracts to build a house for B for $100,000. When it is partly built, B repudiates the contract and A stops work. A has bought materials that are left over and that he can use for other purposes, saving him $5,000.
The $5,000 cost avoided is subtracted in determining A’s damages, resulting in damages of only $35,000 rather than $40,000.
Restatement § 347 Measure of Damages in General Cost or Other Loss Avoided
A contracts to convey land to B in return for B’s working for a year. B repudiates the contract before A has conveyed the land.
The value to A of the land is subtracted from the value to A of B’s services in determining A’s damages.
Restatement § 347 Measure of Damages in General Cost or Other Loss Avoided
A contracts to employ B for $10,000 to supervise the production of A’s crop, but breaks his contract by firing B at the beginning of the season. B instead takes another job as a supervisor at $9,500
The $9,500 is subtracted from the $10,000 loss of earnings in determining B’s damages.
Restatement § 347 Measure of Damages in General Cost or Other Loss Avoided
A contracts to build a machine for B and deliver it to be installed in his factory by June 30. A breaks the contract and does not deliver the machine.
B’s factory is destroyed by fire on December 31 and the machine, if it had been installed there, would also have been destroyed. The fact that the factory was burned is not considered in determining B’s damages.
Restatement § 347 Measure of Damages in General
A contracts to send his daughter to B’s school for $5,000 tuition. After the academic year has begun, A withdraws her and refuses to pay anything. A’s breach does not reduce B’s instructional or other costs and B is unable to find another student to take the place of A’s daughter.
B has a right to damages equal to the full $5,000.
Restatement § 347 Measure of Damages in General Actual Loss Caused by Breach
A contracts to build a house for B for $100,000, but repudiates the contract after doing part of the work and having been paid $40,000. Other builders would charge B $80,000 to finish the house, but B finds a builder in need of work who does it for $70,000.
B’s damages are limited to the $70,000 that he actually had to pay to finish the work less the $60,000 cost avoided or $10,000, together with damages for any loss caused by the delay.
Restatement § 347 Measure of Damages in General Actual Loss Caused by Breach
A contracts to employ B for $10,000 to supervise the production of A’s crop. A breaks the contract by firing B at the beginning of the season, and B, unable to find another job, instead takes a job as a farm laborer for the entire season at $6,000.
The $6,000 that he made as a farm laborer is subtracted from the $10,000 loss of earnings in determining B’s damages. See Illustration 8 to § 350.
Restatement § 347 Measure of Damages in General Actual Loss Caused by Breach
A contracts to employ B for $10,000 to supervise the production of A’s crop, but breaks his contract by firing B at the beginning of the season. B is unable to find another similar job but receives $3,000 in state unemployment benefits.
Whether the $3,000 will be subtracted from the $10,000 loss of earnings depends on the state legislation under which it was paid and the policy behind it.
Restatement § 347 Measure of Damages in General
On April 1, A and B make a personal service contract under which A is to employ B for six months beginning July 1 and B is to work for A during that period. On May 1, B repudiates the contract. On August 1, B falls ill and is unable to perform the contract for the remainder of the period.
A can only recover damages based on his loss during the month of July since his loss during subsequent months was not caused by B’s breach.
Restatement § 347 Measure of Damages in General Lost Volume
A contracts to pave B’s parking lot for $10,000. B repudiates the contract and A subsequently makes a contract to pave a similar parking lot for $10,000. A’s business could have been expanded to do both jobs.
Unless it is proved that he would not have undertaken both, A’s damages are based on the net profit he would have made on the contract with B, without regard to the subsequent transaction.
UCC § 2-712. “Cover”; Buyer’s Procurement of Substitute Goods
(1) After a breach within the preceding section the buyer may “cover” by making in good faith and without unreasonable delay any reasonable purchase of or contract to purchase goods in substitution for those due from the seller.
(2) The buyer may recover from the seller as damages the difference between the cost of cover and the contract price together with any incidental or consequential damages as hereinafter defined (Section 2-715), but less expenses saved in consequence of the seller’s breach.
(3) Failure of the buyer to effect cover within this section does not bar him from any other remedy.
Restatement § 237 Effect on Other Party’s Duties of a Failure to Render Performance
Except as stated in § 240, it is a condition of each party’s remaining duties to render performances to be exchanged under an exchange of promises that there be no uncured material failure by the other party to render any such performance due at an earlier time.
Restatement § 237 Effect on Other Party’s Duties of a Failure to Render Performance Substantial Performance
A contracts to build a house for B, for which B promises to pay $50,000 in monthly progress payments equal to 85% of the value of the work with the balance to be paid on completion. When A completes construction, B refuses to pay the $7,500 balance claiming that there are defects that amount to an uncured material breach.
If the breach is material, A’s performance is not substantial and he has no claim under the contract against B, although he may have a claim in restitution. If the breach is not material, A’s performance is said to be substantial, he has a claim under the contract against B for $7,500, and B has a claim against A for damages because of the defects.
Restatement § 349 Damages Based on Reliance Interest
As an alternative to the measure of damages stated in § 347, the injured party has a right to damages based on his reliance interest, including expenditures made in preparation for performance or in performance, less any loss that the party in breach can prove with reasonable certainty the injured party would have suffered had the contract been performed.
Restatement § 349 Damages Based on Reliance Interest Reliance Interest Where Profit Uncertain
A gives B a “dealer franchise” to sell A’s products in a stated area for one year. In preparation for performance, B spends money on advertising, hiring sales personnel, and acquiring premises that cannot be used for other purposes. A then repudiates before performance begins.
If neither party proves with reasonable certainty what profit or loss B would have made if the contract had been performed, B can recover as damages his expenditures in preparation for performance.
Restatement § 349 Damages Based on Reliance Interest Reliance Interest Where Profit Uncertain
A contracts with B to stage a series of performances in B’s theater, each to have 50 per cent of the gross receipts. After A has spent $20,000 in getting ready for the performances, B rents the theater to others and repudiates the contract, and A stages the performance at another theater. A’s expenditures in preparation for performance of the contract with B are worth $8,000 to him in connection with staging the performances at the other theater.
If neither party proves with reasonable certainty what profit or loss A would have made if the contract had been performed, A can recover as damages the $12,000 balance of his expenditures in preparation for performance.
Restatement § 349 Damages Based on Reliance Interest Reliance Interest Where Profit Uncertain
A contracts to build for B a factory of experimental design for $1,000,000. After A has spent $250,000 and been paid $150,000 in progress payments, B repudiates the contract and A stops work. A’s expenditures include materials worth $10,000 that he can use on other jobs.
If neither party proves with reasonable certainty what profit or loss A would have made if the contract had been performed, A can recover as damages the $90,000 balance of his expenditures in preparation for performance.
Restatement § 349 Damages Based on Reliance Interest Reliance Interest Where Profit Uncertain
A contracts to sell his retail store to B. After B has spent $100,000 for inventory, A repudiates the contract and B sells the inventory for $60,000.
If neither party proves with reasonable certainty what profit or loss B would have made if the contract had been performed, B can recover as damages the $40,000 loss that he sustained on the sale of the inventory.
Restatement § 371 Measure of Restitution Interest
If a sum of money is awarded to protect a party’s restitution interest, it may as justice requires be measured by either
(a) the reasonable value to the other party of what he received in terms of what it would have cost him to obtain it from a person in the claimant’s position, or
(b) the extent to which the other party’s property has been increased in value or his other interests advanced.
Restatement § 371 Measure of Restitution Interest Choice of Measure
A, a carpenter, contracts to repair B’s roof for $3,000. A does part of the work at a cost of $2,000, increasing the market price of B’s house by $1,200. The market price to have a similar carpenter do the work done by A is $1,800.
A’s restitution interest is equal to the benefit conferred on B. That benefit may be measured either by the addition to B’s wealth from A’s services in terms of the $1,200 increase in the market price of B’s house or the reasonable value to B of A’s services in terms of the $1,800 that it would have cost B to engage a similar carpenter to do the same work. If the work was not completed because of a breach by A and restitution is based on the rule stated in § 374, $1,200 is appropriate. If the work was not completed because of a breach by B and restitution is based on the rule stated in § 373, $1,800 is appropriate.
Restatement § 371 Measure of Restitution Interest Choice of Measure
A, a surgeon, contracts to perform a series of emergency operations on B for $3,000. A does the first operation, saving B’s life, which can be valued in view of B’s life expectancy at $1,000,000. The market price to have an equally competent surgeon do the first operation is $1,800.
A’s restitution interest is equal to the benefit conferred on B. That benefit is measured by the reasonable value to B of A’s services in terms of the $1,800 that it would have cost B to engage a similar surgeon to do the operation regardless of the rule on which restitution is based.
Restatement § 371 Measure of Restitution Interest Choice of Measure
A, a social worker, promises B to render personal services to C in return for B’s promise to educate A’s children. A renders only part of the services and B then refuses to educate A’s children. The market price to have a similar social worker do the services rendered by A is $1,800.
If A recovers in restitution under the rule stated in § 373, an appropriate measure of the benefit conferred on B is the reasonable value to B of A’s services in terms of the $1,800 that it would have cost B to engage a similar social worker to do the same work.
Restatement § 373 Restitution When Other Party Is in Breach
(1) Subject to the rule stated in Subsection (2), on a breach by non-performance that gives rise to a claim for damages for total breach or on a repudiation, the injured party is entitled to restitution for any benefit that he has conferred on the other party by way of part performance or reliance.
(2) The injured party has no right to restitution if he has performed all of his duties under the contract and no performance by the other party remains due other than payment of a definite sum of money for that performance.
Restatement § 373 Restitution When Other Party Is in Breach Restitution as Alternative Remedy for Breach
A contracts to sell a tract of land to B for $100,000. After B has made a part payment of $20,000, A wrongfully refuses to transfer title.
B can recover the $20,000 in restitution. The result is the same even if the market price of the land is only $70,000, so that performance would have been disadvantageous to B.
Restatement § 373 Restitution When Other Party Is in Breach Restitution as Alternative Remedy for Breach
A contracts to build a house for B for $100,000, progress payments to be made monthly. After having been paid $40,000 for two months, A commits a breach that is not material by inadvertently using the wrong brand of sewer pipe.
B has a claim for damages for partial breach but cannot recover the $40,000 that he has paid A.
Restatement § 373 Restitution When Other Party Is in Breach Restitution as Alternative Remedy for Breach
On February 1, A and B make a contract under which, as consideration for B’s immediate payment of $50,000, A promises to convey to B a parcel of land on May 1. On March 1, A repudiates by selling the parcel to C. On April 1, B commences an action against C
. Although under the rule stated in § 253(1), B has no claim against A for damages for breach of contract until performance is due on May 1, B can recover $50,000 from A in restitution. See Illustration 4 to § 253.
Restatement § 373 Restitution When Other Party Is in Breach Restitution as Alternative Remedy for Breach
A, who holds a mortgage on B’s land, promises B that he will not foreclose the mortgage for another year, even if B makes no payments. In reliance on A’s promise, B makes valuable improvements. A forecloses in breach of his promise and buys the land at a judicial sale for the amount of the mortgage debt.
B can recover in restitution for the value of the improvements.
Restatement § 373 Restitution When Other Party Is in Breach When Contract Price is a Limit
A contracts to work for B for one month for $10,000. After A has fully performed, B repudiates the contract and refuses to pay the $10,000.
A can get damages against B for $10,000, together with interest, but cannot recover more than that sum even if he can show that the benefit to B from the services was greater than $10,000.
Restatement § 373 Restitution When Other Party Is in Breach When Contract Price is a Limit
A contracts to sell a tract of land to B for $100,000. After B has paid the full $100,000, A repudiates and refuses to transfer title.
B has a right to $100,000 in restitution.