Download presentation
Presentation is loading. Please wait.
Published byMarybeth Hicks Modified over 9 years ago
2
Sources of Contract Law. Common Law for all contracts except sales and leases. Sale and lease contracts - Uniform Commercial Code (UCC). Function of Contract Law. Provides stability and predictability for commerce. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 2
3
Definition of a Contract. Promise or set of promises, For breach of which, The law provides a remedy, or The performance of which the law in some way recognizes as a duty. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 3
4
Objective Theory of Contacts. Circumstances to determine intent of parties. Objective Facts include: What a party said when entering into the contract, How the party acted or appeared (intent may be inferred), and Circumstances surrounding the transaction. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 4
5
Requirements of a Valid Contract: Agreement (Offer & Acceptance). Consideration: bargained-for- exchange. Contractual Capacity. Legality: purpose of contract must be legal at the time of execution. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 5
6
Defenses to Enforceability: Voluntary Consent. Form: some types of contracts must be in writing. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 6
7
7
8
Bilateral: Offeror accepts Offeree’s promise to perform (“a promise for a promise”). Unilateral: Offeror is bargaining for performance. Offeree accepts by completing contract performance (“a promise for an act”). © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 8
9
Revocation of Offers for Unilateral Contracts: Offeror cannot revoke promise once performance has begun, for a reasonable time period. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 9
10
Formal: must be in writing to be enforceable. Informal: all other contracts. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 10
11
Express: words (oral or written). Implied: conduct creates and defines the terms of the contract. Requirements: PL furnished good or service PL expected to be paid DEF had chance to reject and did not. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 11
12
Contract Performance. Executed - A contract that has been fully performed on both sides. Executory - A contract that has not been fully performed on either side. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 12
13
Contract Enforceability. Valid: agreement, consideration, contractual capacity, and legality. Voidable (unenforceable): Valid contract can be avoided or rescinded based on certain legal defenses. Void: no contract. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 13
14
© 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 14
15
An essential element for contract formation is agreement. The parties must mutually assent to the same bargain. An agreement has two components: an offer and an acceptance. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 15
16
Requirements of the Offer. An offer is a promise to do or not do something in the future. The common law requires three elements for an effective offer: Offeror’s serious intention. Reasonably certain terms. Communication to offeree. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 16
17
A contract is judged by what a reasonable person in the offeree’s position would conclude about the offer. CASE 9.1 Lucy v. Zehmer (1954). Do you think the Zehmers had a serious intention? © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 17
18
Expressions of Opinion: not offers. Statements of Future Intent: not offers. Preliminary Negotiations, or Invitations to Negotiate: not offers. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 18
19
Advertisements: not offers (invitations to negotiate). Agreements to Agree: can be enforceable if parties intended to be bound. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 19
20
Terms (Expressed or Implied). Identification of the parties. Object or subject matter of the contract. Consideration to be paid. Time of payment, Delivery, or Performance. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 20
21
An offer can require specific terms to make the contract definite. A court can supply missing terms if the parties intend to form a contract. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 21
22
Offeree’s knowledge of the offer: Directly by the Offeror, or Use of Agents. CASE 9.2 Alexander v. Lafayette Crime Stoppers, Inc. (2010). When was the offer communicated to the plaintiff? © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 22
23
An offer may be terminated prior to acceptance by either: Action of the Parties or by Operation of Law. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 23
24
Revocation of the Offer by the Offeror: Offer can be withdrawn anytime before Offeree accepts the offer. Effective when the Offeree or Offeree’s agent receives it. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 24
25
Irrevocable Offer: offeree has changed position based on justifiable reliance on the offer. Option Contracts: promise to hold an offer open for a specified period of time in return of consideration. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 25
26
Rejection of the Offer by the Offeree: Rejection by the Offeree (expressed or implied) terminates the offer. Effective only when it is received by the Offeror or Offeror’s agent. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 26
27
Counteroffer by the Offeree: rejection of original offer and the simultaneous making of a new offer. Mirror Image Rule: At common law, any change in terms automatically terminates the offer and substitutes the counteroffer. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 27
28
Lapse of Time. Offer terminates by law when the period of time specified in the offer has passed. If no time period for acceptance is specified, the offer terminates at the end of a reasonable period of time. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 28
29
Destruction of the Subject Matter: before acceptance of offer, terminates the offer. Death or Incompetence of the Offeror or Offeree: automatically terminates unless irrevocable offer. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 29
30
Supervening Illegality of the Proposed Contract: legislation or court decision automatically terminates offer or renders contract unenforceable. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 30
31
Acceptance is a: voluntary act (expressed or implied) by the Offeree that shows assent (agreement), to the terms of an offer. Unequivocal Acceptance: the “Mirror Image” Rule. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 31
32
Silence as Acceptance: General Rule: offeree should not be legally obligated to affirmatively reject an offer. When Offeree Has Duty to Speak: He takes benefit of services with opportunity to reject. Prior dealings with Offeror. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 32
33
Bilateral Contract: communication of acceptance is necessary because there is a mutual exchange of promises. Unilateral Contract: acceptance is evident, notification not necessary. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 33
34
General Rule: in bilateral contracts, acceptance is timely if done before offer is terminated. The Mailbox Rule. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 34
35
Acceptance is effective when offeree uses authorized means of acceptance. If U.S. Mail, acceptance is effective upon dispatch. If no means specified, acceptance can be by any reasonable means. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 35
36
Exceptions to Mailbox Rule: If Offeror specifies that acceptance will not be effective until it is received. If acceptance is sent after rejection, whichever is received first is given effect. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 36
37
Substitute Method of Acceptance. Effective if the substitute serves the same purpose (Fed-Ex vs. UPS). Not effective on dispatch. Effective when received by the Offeror. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 37
38
Generally, consideration must have: “Legally Sufficient Value” and a “Bargained-for-Exchange.” © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 38
39
Legally Sufficient Value can mean: Promise, Performance, or Forbearance. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 39
40
Bargained-for-Exchange: must provide basis for the bargain. Something of legal value (a promise, or a performance) must be exchanged between the parties. The promise must be either l egally detrimental to the promisee, or legally beneficial to the promisor. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 40
41
Adequacy of Consideration: Courts typically will not consider. Law does not protect a person from entering into an unwise contract. Cases of “shockingly inadequate consideration” may raise a red flags, and be ruled unconscionable. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 41
42
Agreements That Lack Consideration. Preexisting Duty: promise to do what one already has a legal duty to do does not constitute legally sufficient consideration. Unforeseen Difficulties. Recession and New Contract. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 42
43
Agreements That Lack Consideration (continued): Past Consideration is no consideration because the bargained-for exchange element is missing. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 43
44
Promissory Estoppel (detrimental reliance). Elements: Must be definite promise. Promisee must justifiably rely on the promise. Reliance is substantial. Justice will be served by enforcing promise. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 44
45
Minors: at 18 years, a person is emancipated, and has the legal capacity to enter into any contract that an adult can. However, a contract entered into by a minor is voidable at the option of that minor, and can be disaffirmed. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 45
46
Minors (continued). A contract can be disaffirmed at any time during minority, or for a reasonable period after minor is emancipated. Minor must disaffirm the entire contract. Disaffirmance can be expressed or implied. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 46
47
Intoxication. Lack of capacity at the time the contract is being made. Contract is either voidable or valid, depending on circumstances. Disaffirmance (voidable). Ratification: after ‘sobering up.’ © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 47
48
Mental Incompetence. Void: person is adjudged mentally incompetent by a court of law and a guardian has been appointed. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 48
49
Mental Incompetence (cont’d). Voidable: person does not know she is entering into the contract or lacks the mental capacity to comprehend its nature, purpose, and consequences. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 49
50
Mental Incompetence (cont’d). Valid: when person is able to understand the nature and effect of entering into a contract but may lack capacity to engage in other activities (known as “lucid” intervals). © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 50
51
A contract must be formed for a legal purpose. A specific clause in contract can be illegal, but rest of contract can be enforceable. Contract to commit a tortious act is illegal. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 51
52
Prohibited by federal or state statutory law is illegal and therefore void (never existed). Contracts to Commit a Crime. Contracts for Usury. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 52
53
Gambling: distribution of property based on chance among persons who have paid valuable consideration. Licensing Statutes: contract’s enforceability depends on purpose. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 53
54
Contracts contrary to public policy are void. Contracts in Restraint of Trade are generally void. Exception: Covenant not to Compete and Sale of an Ongoing Business. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 54
55
Covenant not to Compete in Employment: is enforceable as long as time and geographic terms are reasonable. CASE 9.3 Comedy Club, Inc. v. Improv West Associates (2009). What factors did the court consider? © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 55
56
Procedural Unconscionability: inconspicuous print or legalese. Depends on a party’s lack of knowledge or expertise. Substantive Unconscionability. Contracts are oppressive or overly harsh; that deny a remedy for nonperformance. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 56
57
Release a party from liability in the event of monetary or physical injury – no matter who is at fault. Enforceable when they are not against public policy, are not ambiguous, and do not shield parties from intentional conduct. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 57
58
A contract may be unenforceable if the parties have not genuinely assented to its terms by: Mistake. Misrepresentation. Undue Influence. Duress. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 58
59
Mistakes of Fact: allow a contract to be canceled. Bilateral (Mutual) Mistake: concerns the same material fact, and can be rescinded by either party. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 59
60
Mistakes of Fact: allow a contract to be canceled. Unilateral Mistakes cannot be canceled unless: Other party to the contract knows or should have known, OR Mistake was due to an inadvertent mathematical mistake and was not gross negligence. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 60
61
Mistakes of Value: Generally, contract is enforceable by either party. Exception: Mistake of value because of a mistake of material fact. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 61
62
Contract is Voidable by Innocent Party. Consists of the following Elements: Misrepresentation of Material Fact. Intent to Deceive. Reliance on Misrepresentation. Injury to the Innocent Party. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 62
63
Statement of Fact vs. Statement of Opinion. Statement of Opinions are not actionable. Opinions from Experts can be actionable, and injured party can seek rescission or reformation. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 63
64
Misrepresentation by Conduct: occurs when a party takes specific action to conceal a fact that is material to the contract. Misrepresentation of Law: does not entitle a party to relief. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 64
65
Misrepresentation by Silence. Ordinarily neither party has duty to disclose facts. However, seller will be liable if she knows of material defect that cannot be reasonably discovered by buyer. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 65
66
Misrepresentation by Silence. When parties are in a fiduciary relationship, failure to disclose material facts may be fraud. CASE 14.2 Rosenweig v. Givens (2009). What factors did the court consider in its decision? © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 66
67
Contract lacks voluntary consent and is voidable. Confidentiality, Fiduciary, or Relationship of Dependence. Undue Influence or Persuasion is presumed if a weaker party talked into doing something not beneficial to him or herself. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 67
68
Forcing a party to enter into a contract under fear or threat makes the contract voidable. Threatened act must be wrongful or illegal and render person incapable of exercising free will. Threat of civil suit is not duress. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 68
69
Some contracts must be in writing to be enforceable: Contracts with an Interest in Land. Contracts involving “One-Year Rule.” Collateral or Secondary Contracts. Promises made in consideration of marriage. Contracts For Sales of Goods over $500. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 69
70
Privity of Contract: only original parties to a contract have rights and liabilities under the contract. Exceptions: Assignments, Delegations, and Third party Beneficiary Contracts. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 70
71
Terminology: Assignor: party assigning rights to third party. Assignee: party receiving rights. Obligee: person to whom a duty or obligation is owed. Obligor: person who is obligated to perform the duty. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 71
72
Effect of An Assignment: when rights of assignor are unconditionally assigned, her rights are extinguished. The third party (assignee) has right to demand performance from original party to contract. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 72
73
© 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 73
74
Rights That Cannot be Assigned: (i) when a statute expressly prohibits assignment, (ii) when a contract is personal in nature, (iii) when the assignment materially changes rights or duties of obligor, (iv) when an assignment will significantly change the risk or duties of the obligor. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 74
75
Exceptions to Prohibition of Assignment of Rights: Cannot prevent right to receive money. Cannot prevent rights in land. Negotiable instruments. Damages in sales of goods. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 75
76
Contractual duties in a bilateral contract that are delegated to a third party. Terminology: Delegator: party making the delegation of duty. Delegatee: party to whom the duty is owed. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 76
77
© 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 77
78
Delegations are Prohibited: When the Duties are Personal in Nature (special trust). When Performance by a Third Party Will Vary Materially From that Expected by the Obligee. When the Contract Prohibits Delegation. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 78
79
Delegator remains liable, even after delegation. Delegatee is liable if delegation contract creates a third party beneficiary relationship in the obligee. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 79
80
2 nd Exception to Privity of Contract. Original parties to the contract intend at the time of contracting to directly benefit a third person. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 80
81
Creditor beneficiary benefits from a contract in which promisor promises the promisee to pay a debt the promisee owes to a third party (creditor beneficiary). © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 81
82
Donee Beneficiary: contract is made for the express purpose of promisor giving a gift to a third party (donee), the donee can sue the promisor directly if the promisor breaches the contract. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 82
83
Intended : promisee intended to confer on the beneficiary the right to bring suit to enforce the contract. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 83
84
Incidental : a third party beneficiary’s benefit from contract between two parties is unintentional. Incidental beneficiary cannot sue to enforce the contract. © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 84
85
© 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. 85
Similar presentations
© 2025 SlidePlayer.com. Inc.
All rights reserved.