Unit 1: People in Business Flashcards
Contract
A legally binding agreement between two or more parties that can be enforced in a court of law, e.g. a contract for the sale of a car
Law of contract
Sets out when a contract exists and when it ends
Invitation to treat
an indication that offers are welcomed
Offer
a clear indication of a party’s willingness to enter into an agreement under specified terms
Acceptance
the party receiving the offer accepts all terms of the offer as it stands, either orally, in writing, or by conduct
Intention to contract
both parties must be aware that they are entering into a legally binding agreement that could see them in court of they fail to keep their side of the agreement
Capacity to contract
all people and organisations have the legal right to enter into a legally binding business contract, with a few exceptions
Consideration
each party in the contract must give something of value to the other party. Both parties must gain from the contract
Consent to contract
the people and organisations entering the contract must do so voluntarily, with full knowledge of all elements of the contract
Legality of form
certain contracts must be in writing if they are to be legally vaild
Legality of purpose
a legally valid contract cannot exist for something illegal or itself involve breaking the law
Performance
both parties to the contract carry out their duties as required by the contract
Agreement
the parties agree to end the contract by mutual consent, whether or not the purpose of the contract has been achieved
Frustration
an unforseen event prevents the contract from being completed
Breach of contract
if one of the parties does not perform their side of the contractual obligation i.e. does not honour the promises made, the contract is said to have been cancelled
Condition
an essential element of the contract
Warranty
a non-essential element of the contract
Specific performance
the party in breach of the contract is ordered by court of law to carry out its agreed contractual obligations
Caveat emptor
‘let the buyer beware’
Consumers’ Association of Ireland (CAI)
a voluntary body that provides information and advice to consumers and lobbies the government for improved consumer legislation
Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act 1980
sets out the legal rights of consumers, the legal responsibilities of retailers and the kinds of legal redress available
Unsolicited goods/inertia selling
it is illegal to demand payment for goods that were not ordered
Consumer Protection Act 2007
protects the consumer from unfair business-to-consumer commercial practices through a variety of measures
Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC)
an independent statutory body that enforces competition and consumer protection law in Ireland
Small Claims Procedure
deals with consumer complaints relating to goods or services purchased for private use, up to a maximum value of €2000