PowerPoint 6 Flashcards

1
Q

Privity of Contract

A

Relationship between contractual parties.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Parties

A

People who created the contract.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Only ___ can sue under contract.

A

Parties.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What are exceptions to the general rules of privity?

A
  • Assignment.
  • Trusts.
  • Statute.
  • Employment.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Assignment

A

Process of transferring contractual rights.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What are forms of assignment?

A
  • Equitable assignment.
  • Statutory assignment.
  • Assignment by operation of law.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Equitable Assignment

A

You can sign away the benefits of the contract, but not the liabilities.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Can you assign away a mortgage?

A

Yes, but it is ill advised. You can still be on the hook for liability. Equitable assignment says that only benefits, not liability can be transferred.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Statutory Assignment

A

Means there is a statute (like a copyright act) that allows you to assign away the benefits and liability, as long as you follow a process.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Best example of statutory assignment is…

A

Copyright law.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Assignment by Operation of Law

A

Examples include contracts surviving through death (with estate), going bankrupt (contracts are dealt with by trustee).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Contract survives death through ___.

A

Estate.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Does an offer survive death through estate?

A

No.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Trust

A

Property held for benefit of another.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What are the parties to trust?

A

Settlor, trustee, and beneficiary.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Settlor

A

Party placing property into trust.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Trustee

A

Party holding property.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Beneficiary

A

Party entitled to benefit of property.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Who can enforce contracts made by the trustee?

A

Beneficiary of trusts.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Who is the legal owner during the time of the trust?

A

The trustee.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Who is the beneficial owner during the time of the trust?

A

The beneficiary.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Can the beneficiary sue the trustee if the trustee makes a bad decision investing for the trust?

A

Yes. Beneficiary of trusts can enforce contracts made by the trustee.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Blind Trust

A

You are kept in the dark where your money is being invested (lose legal rights). You are both the settlor and the beneficiary. You get the money when the conflict of interest ends.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Can the beneficiary force a blind trust?

A

Yes.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

Statute

A

May allow enforcement of contracts by stranger.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

When are statutes most often used?

A

Life insurance.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

Life insurance is purchased by the insured, and is intended for the beneficiary. However, the beneficiary is usually a stranger to the contract. Is this the case?

A

No, in this case, privity is not an issue for the beneficiary. Beneficiaries can enforce the contracts.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

In what cases does the general privity rule unfairly denies enforcement?

A

Statute (such as life insurance).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

What allows enforcement in cases where general privity rules are deemed unfair?

A

Legislation.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

If a contract is created with an employer, are the employees covered under the contract as well?

A

Yes.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

The exclusion clause is enforceable by employee if…

A

Employee acted in scope of employment.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

A contract created between a business and customer contains an “exclusion clause.” Who is this clause enforceable by?

A

The business (party). It is not enforceable by employee (stranger).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

What are statements made during negotiations?

A
  • Representations.

- Terms.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

Representations

A

Statements that try to induce the person to buy. Made around the contract. Cannot usually hold someone liable.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

Terms

A

Statements that lay out the conditions of the contract. Can usually hold someone liable.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
36
Q

Misrepresentation

A

A statement of an existing fact that is false when made. It may be actionable if it induced a contract.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

Misrepresentation must be…

A

Statement of fact.

38
Q

Misrepresentation cannot be…

A
  • Personal opinion.
  • Prediction of future.
  • Statement of law.
39
Q

Example of personal opinion:

A

I think this car is the best car ever.

40
Q

Example of prediction of future:

A

I think gold is going to shoot up in value.

41
Q

Example of statement of law:

A

This area is zoned commercially.

42
Q

Why does statement of law not count as misrepresentation?

A

Because you can check yourself. You need to check for legal things However, if it was your lawyer that told you, you can sue for professional negligence.

43
Q

Can silence be misrepresentation?

A

Usually not.

44
Q

If silence distorts a previous statement, are you obligated to tell the truth to avoid misrepresentation?

A

Yes, even if your statement was true at the time, if something occurs after that and something changes, you are obligated to tell the truth (cannot be silent).

45
Q

In a situation of utmost good faith, are you obligated to tell the truth to avoid misrepresentation?

A

Creates obligations in the contract that you must disclose things.

46
Q

In situations of special relationships of trust and confidence, you are obligated to tell the truth to avoid misrepresentation. What kind of relationship would be considered here?

A

Doctor-patient relationship.

47
Q

What kinds of contracts have a statutory requirement of disclosure?

A
  • Insurance contracts.

- Prenup agreement (domestic contract).

48
Q

Why do insurance contracts have a statutory requirement of disclosure?

A

Because different factors affect how much you pay for insurance. If you lie, you may not get coverage.

49
Q

Why do prenups have a statutory requirement of disclosure?

A

If you do not list things in the schedule properly, then the prenup can get thrown out.

50
Q

What are the potential remedies for misrepresentation?

A
  • Rescission.
  • Restitution.
  • Damages.
51
Q

Rescission

A

Discretionary equitable remedy. Terminates contra ab inito (contract treated as if it never existed).

52
Q

Rescission is often accompanied by order for ___.

A

Restitution.

53
Q

For what types of misrepresentation is rescission available for?

A

All types.

54
Q

Restitution

A

Restoration of money, land, or goods available for all types of misrepresentation.

55
Q

Damages

A

Monetary award to repair wrongful loss claim lies for fraud or negligence only (innocent = damages not available).

56
Q

Damages in misrepresentation is the same as…

A

Tort of deceit.

57
Q

What are the three types of misrepresentation?

A
  1. Innocent misrepresentation.
  2. Negligent misrepresentation.
  3. Fraudulent misrepresentation.
58
Q

Innocent Misrepresentation

A

Defendant innocent of wrongdoing. No knowledge of falsity of statement, no carelessness in making statement.

59
Q

What remedies can you get in innocent misrepresentation?

A

Rescission, but not restitution or damages.

60
Q

Negligent Misrepresentation

A

Defendant guilty of negligence. Statement made in careless disregard of facts.

61
Q

What remedies can you get in negligent misrepresentation?

A

Rescission, restitution, and possibly damages.

62
Q

Fraudulent Misrepresentation

A

A statement or misleading silence known to be false, or made with no honest belief in its truth, or made recklessly.

63
Q

What remedies can you get in fraudulent misrepresentation?

A

Rescission, restitution, and damages.

64
Q

What are limitations to fraudulent misrepresentation?

A

It may lead to costs against party who cannot prove allegation. Sometimes it may be better to just sue for negligent misrepresentation.

65
Q

Why might costs be awarded against you in trying to prove fraudulent misrepresentation?

A

You are essentially calling the other person a liar in court. If you cannot prove it on a balance of probabilities, judge may punish you.

66
Q

Contractual Terms

A

Enforceable obligation within contract.

67
Q

Types of contractural terms:

A
  • Express terms.

- Implied terms.

68
Q

Express Terms

A

Terms expressly included by parties. Oral agreement, primarily a question of evidence. Must prove what words were spoken.

69
Q

___ agreements are easier to prove as far as express terms go.

A

Written.

70
Q

Written terms are subject to parol evidence rule. What does this mean?

A

You do not get to inject subjectivism. You do not say anything, and the judge reads it. No extrinsic evidence allowed, stuck with just written document.

71
Q

Extrinsic Document

A

A document outside of the contract.

72
Q

Contractual Interpretation

A

Rules of interpreting written documents.

73
Q

What is the golden rule of contractual interpretation?

A

Preferable way is to read the contact in plain meaning. To the average person, what does it mean?

74
Q

Contra Proferentem

A

Construe against the drafter. You give the party who didn’t draft the agreement the benefit of the doubt.

75
Q

Do judges have discretion in contractual interpretation?

A

Yes.

76
Q

Implied Term

A

Express terms may not fully reflect intention. Parties’ remaining intentions may be implied.

77
Q

What are implied terms used for/not used for?

A

Not used to improve contract quality, but used only when necessary to parties’ intentions.

78
Q

Can usage and custom be an implied term in a contract?

A

Yes.

79
Q

Can the business efficacy test be an implied term in a contract?

A

Yes.

80
Q

Can previous dealings between the parties be an implied term in a contract?

A

Yes.

81
Q

Standard Form Agreements

A

Mass-produced documents. Valid means of reducing transaction costs, but potential for abuse.

82
Q

Standard form agreements often take the form of ___ contracts.

A

Ticket.

83
Q

How can the standard form agreement be abused?

A

The terms may only benefit one party.

84
Q

Exclusion Clause

A

Often in standard form contracts.

85
Q

What are requirements for the enforceability of exclusion clauses?

A
  • Term must be clear and unambiguous.
  • Reasonable notice to affected party.
  • Assent by affected party.
  • Signature is best evidence of acceptance of clause.
86
Q

___ is usually proof of assent to terms.

A

Signature.

87
Q

Is the signer bound if document was not read?

A

Yes.

88
Q

Is the signer bound even if terms not understood?

A

Yes.

89
Q

If the signer had no chance to read, are they bound?

A

Possibly not.

90
Q

If there was unexpected terms, is the signer bound?

A

Possibly not (Tilden case).