Vitiating factors Flashcards
What is a vitiating factor
something which makes a contract void or voidable
What are the types of vitiating factors
- misrepresentation
- economic duress
What is a misrepresentation
a false statement of material fact made by a party to the contract that induce the other party to enter the contract
False statement
The extent of the persons knowledge of the false statement defines the type of misrepresentation it might be.
Silence can NEVER amount to a misrepresentation as seen in Fletcher v Krell
Fletcher v Krell
woman applied for a job she was not asked her marital state. In the time if she said she was divorced she wouldnt be given the job. Court stated there was no misrepresentation as she wasnt asked about it
O’flanagan
A statement that may have been true when made can become a misrepresentation if it becomes false before the contract is made
Doctor originally stated the correct profits of bis practice, however before the contract was made he fell ill, lost many patients, making the original statement inaccurate.
Dimmock v Hallet
Seller of land told buyer there were tenants on the land, what he wanted, but failed to mention that they were leaving. Amounting to a misrepresentation
Part-truth can make a misrepresentation
Tate v Williamson
Where the relationship between the parties is based upon trust then silence can amount to a misrepresentation
Lambert v Co-op insurance
D renewed jewellery insurance but failed to mention husband was previously convicted of jewellery theft. This was important and would’ve affected the jewellery companies decision therefore misrepresentation
Spice Girls v Aprilia
The statement doesnt need to be oral or written just anything that would influence the others decisions.
Spice girls didn’t mention that one member was leaving= misrepresentation
Material fact
misrepresentation must be based on a material fact . Meaning that the statement would have made the reasonable person make the contract and did in fact influence the other party’s decision.
Must be a statement of fact NOT opinion
Statement of future intention is nOT a fact
Bisset v Wilkinson
D genuinely believed you could fit 2000 sheep on a stretch of land. This was false however he genuinely believed it to be true therefore = no misrepresentation
Edginton v Fitzmaurice
C invested in a business who said they would use the investment to complete alterations to the building and other developments. It was instead used for paying off debts. This was a misrepresentation as they had no intention to invest the money into the buildings and developments
Induces the other party to enter the contract
statement MUST be critical to the influence of the others decision and they must have relied on the statement rather than their own judgement
Attwood v Small
seller of mine made false statement to purchaser. The buyer instructed surveyor to confirm this statement, which he did incorrectly. purchaser brought the mine later finding the statement to be untrue. NO misrepresentation due to the survey report which C relied upon.