Contracts and Sales Flashcards
Common Law of Contracts v. Article 2 of UCC + Predominant Purpose Test
Article 2 - Applies to sale of goods (movable personal property)
Common Law Contracts - Applies to ANY OTHER K (services, construction, land sale, etc.)
Predominant Purpose Test: In a mixed contract case (part goods/part service) apply the law that is governing the PREDOMINANT PART of the contract.
Define K + Types of Ks
A legally enforceable agreement made between two or more parties through mutual assent
Types: 1) Express (formed by language)
2) Implied in Fact (formed by conduct)
3) Quasi-K (technically not K, construed by courts to AVOID UNJUST ENRICHMENT)
Bilateral K v. Unilateral K + Unilateral Tip
Bilateral - An offer can be accepted IN ANY REASONABLE WAY (e.g. return promise, begin performance)
Unilateral - An offer can ONLY be accepted by PERFORMANCE
Tip: Look for magic words “offer…ONLY BY” or “reward offer”
Define Offer + Objective Standard
A manifestation of intent to be bound to a contract
Objective Standard: Manifestation is judged objectively and NOT by a persons own thoughts or interests.
Offers: Advertisements
Ads are generally NOT an offer UNLESS a quantity is listed.
Indefiniteness: Open Price Term in Sales K - UCC v. Common Law
Court will read in a “reasonable price” for sale of goods via UCC gap filler, BUT NOT in common law, vague terms there will invalidate a K
Requirements and Output Ks in UCC
Requirement: A buyer promises to buy from a certain seller ALL goods buyer requires, and seller agrees to sell that amount
Output: Seller promises to sell a certain buyer all of the goods the seller produces, and buyer agrees to buy that amount
Termination: Four Methods of Termination
1) Lapse of Reasonable Time
2) Revocation
3) Rejection
4) Death
Revocation: General Rule + Direct v. Indirect
General Rule: Offeror can revoke their offer ANY TIME before acceptance.
Direct Revocation: Offeror INDICATES DIRECTLY to the offeree that he has changed his mind about the K
Indirect Revocation: The offeror engages in conduct that indicates she’s changed her mind and the offeree is AWARE OF THE CONDUCT from a reliable source.
Revocation: Four Exceptions Where Offer Cannot Be Revoked + Firm Offer Timing + Tip
1) Option K (paid for)
2) Merchant’s Firm Offer Under Article 2 (merchant signs writing promising to keep offer open)
3) Detrimental Reliance (RARE - usually comes in the form of G contractors relying on S contractors bids)
4) Part Performance Under Unilateral K
5) Death (before acceptance)
Merchant Firm Offer Timing: If no time is stated, then for a reasonable time, NO LATER than 3 MONTHS
Tip: In a sale of goods, FIRST look for an option (no limits), if no option, SECOND look for firm option (subject to several limitations - signed, merchant, no later than 3 months)
When does offeror’s revocation become official?
A revocation is effective ON RECEIPT (no mailbox rule applies)
Rejections by Offeree + Remember Mere Inquiry
1) Express rejection
2) Counteroffer
3) Conditional Acceptance (operates as counteroffer)
4) Adding/Varying Terms (NOT NECESSARILY TRUE FOR ARTICLE 2)
Mere Inquiry: An inquiry WILL NOT terminate an offer when it is consistent with the idea that the offeree is still keeping the original proposal (REASONABLE PERSON TEST)
Adding Terms to Offer - Common Law v. UCC
Common Law: Mirror Image Rule, acceptance must mirror the offer exactly otherwise no contract
UCC: The offeree’s adding or changing a term DOES NOT prevent acceptance, so long as: 1) Both parties are merchants, 2) No material change, and 3) No objection to new terms within a reasonable time
Death Operating as Terminating Offer + Remember Option K
Death of EITHER PARTY before acceptance terminates a revocable offer
Remember: Death does not automatically terminate a CONTRACT, NOR an irrevocable offer (like option K)
Acceptance: Starting Performance as Acceptance - Bilateral v. Unilateral + Improper Performance as Acceptance in Unilateral K
Bilateral: Starting performance IS acceptance and carries with it an implied promise to finish the job
Unilateral: Starting performance IS NOT acceptance; only COMPLETING performance is acceptance, BUT offeror CANNOT REVOKE
Improper Performance As Acceptance: Would be a simultaneous ACCEPTANCE AND BREACH
Silence as Acceptance + Exceptions
Generally, silence is NOT acceptance
Exception: Custom exception, if offeree silently takes offered benefits, the courts will often find an acceptance, especially if PRIOR DEALINGS create a reasonable expectation of acceptance.
Acceptance: Mailbox Rule + Remember Lost Mail + Exceptions
Acceptance is effective when MAILED
Remember: Being lost is IRRELEVANT, it counts as acceptance once sent.
Exceptions: 1) Offer states otherwise
2) Irrevocable offers (acceptance must be ACTUALLY received by deadline)
3) Rejection sent FIRST, then acceptance (whichever ARRIVES FIRST prevails)
Define consideration + Remember Forebearance
A bargained-for legal detriment/benefit
Remember: Forbearance constitutes consideration (NOT doing something)
Consideration: Past or Moral Consideration
If something was ALREADY given or performed before the promise, it will NOT SATISFY the “bargain” requirement
Consideration: Adequacy of Consideration + Exception
Courts will normally NOT INQUIRE into the adequacy of consideration (i.e., the relative values exchanged)
Exception: Courts of Equity MAY inquire into the relative values and deny an equitable remedy if they find a contract unconscionable
Contract Modification: Common Law v. UCC + Common Law Exceptions
Common Law: PREEXISTING DUTY RULE - the promise to perform an existing legal duty is NOT CONSIDERATION
Exceptions: 1) Voidable Obligation
2) Preexisting Duty Owed to 3rd Parties (when a preexisting duty is owed to a third party, the new promise constituted consideration)
3) Unforeseen Circumstances
UCC: Contract modifications in GOOD FAITH (legitimate commercial reason outside of the control of the party) are binding WITHOUT CONSIDERATION
Contract Modification: Existing Debts + Time-Barred Debt Exception
When the amount due is undisputed, payment of a smaller sum than due WILL NOT be sufficient consideration for a promise by the creditor to discharge the debt
Exception: A written promise to pay a debt, collection of which is barred by SOL, IS ENFORCEABLE, even WITHOUT CONSIDERATION
Consideration Substitute: Promissory Estoppel
A promise may be enforceable, even if it lacks consideration at the time, if 1) promisor should REASONABLY expect to INDUCE ACTION or forbearance, AND 2) such action or forbearance IS INDUCED
Defenses: Lack of Capacity For Minors General Rule + Remember Disaffirmation of Part/Whole K + Categories
An incapacitated DEFENDANT has the RIGHT to disaffirm the K anytime BEFORE or SHORTLY AFTER (reasonable time) reaching the age of majority (she does NOT HAVE TO, but she can if she wants to avoid the K)
Remember: The K MUST be disaffirmed AS A WHOLE; it cannot be affirmed in part and disaffirmed in part
Categories: Minors (U18), intoxicated, mentally incompetent