vitiating elements Flashcards
Misrepresentation?
untrue statement of fact by one party which has induced the other party to enter into the contract.
What is needed for misrepresentation to be actionable?
Statement of fact – must have been a statement of fact.
Statement of future intention OR reasonably held opinion OR belief doesn’t qualify
UNLESS party is in possession of facts which makes it clear that they misrepresented their intention OR opinion/belief.
Untrue statement?
statement must be untrue.
untrue statement can be?
Oral, written or by conduct.
general rule about silence regarding misrepresentation?
silence doesn’t amount to misrepresentation EVEN THOUGH it might conceal a significant fact
exceptions to the rule of silence of misrepresentation?
- Contracts requiring good faith.
- Fiduciary relationship
- Half-truth
- Change of circumstances
BEFORE contract is completed that makes the statement before untrue.
Inducement?
must have induced one party to enter the contract.
Misrepresentation is not actionable regarding inducement in three situations.
Party not aware that the statement was made
OR that it was untrue
OR that it didn’t affect the decision to enter into the contract.
Three types of misrepresentation?
fraudulent
negligent
innocent
definition of fraudulent misrepresentation
statement made in the knowledge that it is
False
OR
Without the belief in its truth
OR
Recklessly,
not caring whether it’s true or false AKA tort of deceit.
Remedies available for fraudulent misrepresentation?
damages
recission available.
definition of negligent misrepresentation
one party enters into a contract resulting from misrepresentation by other party
remedies of negligent misrepresentation?
Innocent party can claim damages
UNLESS the other party can prove that at the time of making the contract, they believed the statement to be true
AND has reasonable grounds for belief.
The burden of proof will then be reversed.
Recission available.
What must the claimant establish in negligent misrepresentation?
misrepresentation AND loss.
What must the defendant show in negligent misrepresentation?
they were not negligent by showing that the statement was honest and reasonable.
Definition of innocent misrepresentation
honest belief that the statement is true based on reasonable grounds
BUT it turns out to be untrue.
remedies for innocent misrepresentation?
Recission available
BUT damages available at the court’s discretion.
effect of misrepresentation?
make the contract voidable AND allows the party to rescind the contract.
Involves setting aside the contract.
Recission is available for misrepresentation UNLESS it has been barred by 2 factors.
Affirmation – party knows about the misrepresentation BUT continues with the contract OR acts in a way with the intention to continue with the contract.
Lapse of time – party has taken too long to discover the misrepresentation.
For non-fraudulent misrepresentations, from the date of the contract.
For fraudulent misrepresentations, from the date the fraud could reasonably have been discovered.
Damages available for fraudulent misrepresentation AND for negligent misrepresentation?
yes
Are consequential losses recoverable for misrepresentation?
yes
Aim of damages in misrepresentation?
put the wronged party in the financial position it would have been in if the misrepresentation hadn’t been made.
Will mistake render the contract void?
yes
Definition of common mistake
both parties have made the same mistake (e.g., both mistaken by subject matter).
Three factors where common mistake is only allowed?
Mistake is fundamental.
No party is at fault.
AND
Contract fails to make an express provision on the matter.
Definition of cross-purposes mistake?
each party has a different view of the situation
Ambiguity is impossible to resolve AND contract is then void/voidable?
void
Unilateral mistakes (type of cross-purpose mistake) happen when?
where one party is mistaken.
Party makes a unilateral mistake as to the identity of the other contracting party, contract is void/voidable?
void
Mistakes regarding the party’s other attributes NOT render the contract…
void
Objective principle applying to mistake?
court will look at the facts objectively AND ask,
‘what an onlooker would have thought each was agreeing to.’
Mistake must precede the contract meaning?
mistake must be made before contract is completed.
Mistake must induce the contract?
party is indifferent to the mistake
OR aware of it
AND takes the risk
nonetheless, contract will be valid.
Remedy available regarding mistake of fact or law?
remedy of restitution is available.
CRA 2015 (schedule 2) regulates?
unfair terms in contracts between a trader and a consumer.
An unfair term of a consumer contract binding on a consumer?
NO
Term is unfair if…
contrary to good faith, causes significant imbalance in the parties rights and obligations under the contract.
unfair term detrimental to the consumer (two factors):
Good faith = fair and open dealing.
court will ask, ‘would the consumer have agreed to the term
IF they had been subject to individual contract negotiations?
AND
Significant imbalance = term is weighted in favour of the trader.
Tilts the obligations under the contract significantly in the trader’s favour.
Schedule 2 of the CRA contains a list of terms.
Which terms?
unfair terms.
What happens if the term is found to be unfair?
not binding on the consumer BUT the contract remains valid in every other respect.
contract can be voidable on the grounds of duress?
yes
can innocent party on the grounds of duress rescind the contract?
yes, if the party wants to.
Definition of duress
violence, threats or pressure have been used to coerce a party to enter into a contract.
Threats can be extended to a person’s economic OR business interests.
5 situations duress can be applicable?
Threat or pressure must have been made/exerted by the contracting party.
Threat or pressure must be illegitimate or improper AND must be distinguished from commercial pressure to secure a contract.
Threat or pressure must have induced entering into the contract.
Claimant must have had no choice BUT to enter into the contract.
AND
Claimant must have registered their protest at the time OR shortly after the contract was made.