Practical Contracts
“ We talk about a contract as a meeting of the minds of the parties, and thence it is inferred in various cases that there is no contract because their minds have not met; that is, because they have intended different things or because one party has not known of the assent of the other. Yet nothing is more certain than that parties may be bound by a contract to things which neither of them intended, and when one does not know of the other's assent.” Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.
Lawyers and clients ◦ Businesspeople are optimists ◦ Lawyers – Primary goal is to protect their clients by avoiding litigation Prefer to negotiate touchy subjects at the beginning of a relationship: When everyone is on friendly terms and eager to make a deal Serve as bad guys – Instead of client raising tough issues, lawyers do
Hiring a lawyer ◦ Should be a dealmaker ◦ Contract will be beneficial to everyone if the parties’ relationship is harmonious ◦ Best deals are those in which all the parties’ incentives are aligned
Who drafts it? ◦ Generally, both sides would prefer to prepare the first draft of the contract The drafter has the right to choose a structure and wording that best represents his interests ◦ Typically, the party with the most bargaining power prepares the drafts
How to read a contract ◦ Pre-reading: Spend some time thinking about the provisions that are important to you ◦ The first read: Read through once, just to get the basic idea of the contract ◦ What-ifs: Think about various outcomes, good and bad ◦ The second read: Read the contract to make sure that it handles the what-ifs
Mistakes ◦ Vagueness ◦ Ambiguity Interpreted against the drafter of the contract ◦ Typos Preventing mistakes ◦ Let your lawyer draft the contract ◦ Resist overlawyering ◦ Read the important terms carefully
Title - Generally is in capital letters, underlined, and centered at the top of the page Introductory paragraph - Names of the parties, and the nature of the contract
Definitions - Most contracts have some definitions ◦ Sometimes included in separate section ◦ Can appear throughout the contract Covenants: Promise in a contract ◦ The contract’s “heart,” failure of which equals a breach
Material breach: Violation of a contract that defeats an essential purpose of the agreement Good faith: An honest effort to meet both the spirit and letter of the contract ◦ Sole discretion: Party to a contract has the absolute right to make a decision on that issue ◦ Reasonable: Ordinary or usual under the circumstances
Reciprocal promises: Promises that are each enforceable independently Conditional promises: Promises that a party agrees to perform only if the other side has first done what it promised Language ◦ Should use the active voice ◦ Should be precise, detailed, and complete
Statements of fact about the past or present ◦ In a contract between two companies, each side will generally represent and warrant facts such as: They legally exist Have the authority to enter into the contract Their financial statements are accurate Revealed all material litigation They own all relevant assets ◦ In a contract for the sale of goods: Will include warranties about the condition of the goods being sold
These standard previsions are typically placed in a section entitled “Miscellaneous” ◦ Choice of law and forum Choice of law provisions: Determine which state’s laws will be used to interpret the contract Choice of forum provisions: Determine the state in which litigation would take place ◦ Requirements for modifications Rider: An amendment or addition to a contract ◦ Assignment of rights: Transfer of benefits under a contract to another person
◦ Delegation of duties: Transfer of obligations in a contract ◦ Arbitration Advantages – Flexibility and savings in time and money Disadvantages – No appeal when arbitrator makes mistake ◦ Attorney’s fees ◦ Integration ◦ Severability
◦ Force majeure event: Disruptive, unexpected occurrence for which neither party is to blame Prevents one or both parties from complying with a contract ◦ Notices ◦ Closing