Contract Law Flashcards
(61 cards)
What is a contract?
Legally enforceable agreement (every contract is a legal agreement PLUS ____)
What is a quasi contract?
Equitable remedy (Restituion) (contract law doesn’t apply - this is equity!)
What are the elements of Quasi Contract?
(1) P has conferred a benefit on D, AND
(2) P reasonably expected to be paid, AND
(3) D realized unjust enrichment if P is not to be compensated.
How to measure recovery for quasi contract recovery?
Focus on the value of the benefit conferred. (Contract price can serve as the ceiling if she is the party at fault)
What is a bilateral contract?
Offer that is open as to the method of acceptance (most on bar exam, offeree can give a return promise, go out and start working - either way)
What is a unilateral contract?
Offer that expressly requires performance as the only possible method of acceptance (reward poster want you to show up with the dog in your arms, that’s a unilateral contract offer)
Assume bilateral contract unless:
(1) reward, prize, contest
(2) offer expressly requires performance for acceptance —-“OFFER ONLY BY”—— MY OFFER CAN ONLY BE ACCEPTED BY ____ DOING….
What does Article 2 apply to?
Article 2 applies to contracts that are primarily sales of goods. Most but not all UCC rules are the same as the common law rules. The factors that determine whether Article 2 applies are thus: (1) Type of transaction - sale (2) subjection matter of transaction - goods, tangible personal property
Consider contracts with Garrison to lecture for Native scholarships. Does Article 2 apply?
No. This is a common law employment contract.
What factors determine whether its Article 2?
(1) Type of transaction (sale)
2) subject matter of transaction - goods (I.e. tangible, personal property
Bill Gates agrees to buy Mandy Moore’s Malibu Bay Club penthouse. Does Article 2 apply?
Yes. This is a real estate contract. This is not tangible, personal property.
Bill G contracts to buy Callie’s 73 Cadillac for $400. What type of law applies?
Article 2 (Is this commercial deal between merchants? Contract price was only $400 so statute of frauds doesn’t apply, but UCC does)
If it was services and goods, what do you apply?
Predominant purpose test. Was it predominantly one? Go with it.
If divisible contract, then what?
If contract divides payment, then apply UCC to sale of goods part and common law to the rest
Formation of a Contract Levels:
In looking for an agreement watch for initial communication - offer - and (2) level 2 - what happens after the initial communication “termination of the offer” and (3) level 3 - who responds and how she responds acceptance
What’s the first thing to look for?
Offer
What is an offer?
“An offer is a manifestation of an intention to contract-words or conduct showing commitment”
What is the test for an offer?
Th basic test is whether a reasonable person in the position of the offeree would believe that his or her assent creates a contract.
What is a reasonable person offer?
I said I would sell the farm, even though I was joking, Bryan didn’t know, so he can buy it (even if I whispered in Brandon’s ear I was joking).
Go ask Tom for a job and he laughs it off and says get it out of here, so I take it as I have a contract. “Reasonable person” would believe it. Doesn’t matter what Tom’s subjective intent was.
What’s the first thing to look for with an offer?
First, must look for the price. In common law, it must have the price. If its Article 2, the price can be omitted.
S offers to sell Blackacre toB. Nothing is said about price. Offer?
No. Price is required.
S offers to sell her car to B. Nothin is said as to the price. Offer?
Yes. IF THE PARTIES SO INTEND. This is Article 2, so usually have to have the price, unless if the parties so intend.
What is required for Sale of Goods in Article 2’s offer?
There is no price requirement; it is still an offer if parties so intent.
S offers to sell her car to B for a fair price. Offer?
No. Not if its a vague or ambiguous material term for the price.