Question | Answer |
Generally, a party who demonstrates they did not voluntarily consent to the terms of a contract can choose to either ________ or ______ | rescind (cancel/void) the contract; carry it out |
A contract may be unenforceable if the parties have not genuinely assented to its terms by: [4 things] | 1.Mistake
2.Misrepresentation
3.Undue Influence
4.Duress |
Only a mistake of ___ allows a contract to be voided | fact |
what are the two categories of mistakes? | fact and value |
Describe a Unilateral Mistake: | One party is mistake |
Describe a Unilateral Mistake of fact: | Other party to the contract knows or should have known, OR
mistake was due to an inadvertent mathematical mistake and was not gross negligence |
Describe a Bilateral (mutual mistake): | both parties are mistaken |
Describe a Bilateral (mutual mistake) of fact: | concerns the same material fact, and can be rescinded by either party |
T or F: in a bilateral mistake of fact, the contract can only be rescinded by one party | False; either party |
Describe Fraudulent Misrepresentation | Contract is Voidable by Innocent Party because they did not voluntarily consent to the terms |
What are the elements that fraudulent misrepresentation of material fact consists of? | 1.Conduct
2.Law
3.Silence
4.Intent to decieve
5.reliance on misrepresentation
6.injury to the innocent party |
Is Puffery a misrepresentation for material fact? | No, it is a statement of opinion |
[Fraudulent Misrepresentation] describe conduct | action prevents one from finding out material facts |
[Fraudulent Misrepresentation] describe law | people assumed to know state and local laws but one party cannot misrepresent law |
[Fraudulent Misrepresentation] describe silence | No duty to disclose facts not asked unless defect is “latent” –not readily ascertainable |
[Fraudulent Misrepresentation] describe Intent to Deceive | made when a false fact knowingly stated as truth or recklessly |
[Fraudulent Misrepresentation] describe Reliance on Misrepresentation | no way for one party to find them out, relies on other party |
[Fraudulent Misrepresentation] describe Injury to the Innocent Party | Injury not usually required for rescission; Proof of injury required for recovery under fraud |
Define rescission: | returns parties to the way they were |
Describe Undue influence: | Contract lacks voluntary consent and is voidable |
[Voluntary Consent - Undue Influence] Often occurs in relationships of ____, _____, or _____ | Confidentiality, Fiduciary, or Relationship of Dependence |
[Voluntary Consent - Undue Influence] ______________standard person did not act out of own free will | Clear and convincing evidence |
[Voluntary Consent] Define duress | Forcing a party to enter into a contract under fear or threat makes the contract voidable |
[Voluntary Consent] what must be present to qualify as duress? | Threatened act must be wrongful or illegal and render person incapable of exercising free will |
[Voluntary Consent] Is threat of a civil suit duress? | Nope |
[Voluntary Consent] Is economic need grounds for duress? | Generally, no |
____________ requires certain contracts to be in writing (or electronic) and signed to be enforceable | Statute of Frauds |
What are examples of contracts that need to be in writing? | 1.Contracts involving interests in land
2.Collateral promises
3.Promises made in consideration of marriage
4.Contracts for sale of goods over $500 |
What is the 1-year rule? | A contract that by its terms cannot possibly be performed within 1 year of execution |
When does the 1-year rule begin? | the day after the contract is signed |
Define collateral promises | Contracts to answer for the debt of another |
[collateral promises] Describe primary obligations | direct party to contract –buying flowers for delivery to another –no writing needed |
[collateral promises] Describe secondary obligations | Guarantor, agrees to pay debt if debtor doesn’t pay –writing needed |
What is an exception to collateral promises? | the "main purpose rule": oral promise is covered by Statute of Frauds unless guarantor is seeking a personal benefit |
What is an example of a promise made in consideration of marriage? | Prenuptial agreements -- more enforceable if consideration is involved |
What is an exception to the $500 rule of contracts for the sale of goods? | customized goods |
What are the exceptions to the statue of frauds? | 1.Partial performance
2.Admissions
3.Promissory Estoppel/Detrimental Reliance |
[Statute of Frauds] Describe partial performance | Purchaser has paid part of purchase price, taken possession and made valuable improvements to property |
[Statute of Frauds] Describe admissions | Party admits in court records contract exists. |
[Statute of Frauds] Describe promissory estoppel/detrimental reliance | Promisee justifiably relies |
Sufficiency of the writing --- what is included in writing? | memorandum, invoice, fax, check, e-mail |
What prohibits the introduction at trial of evidence of the parties prior communications that contradicts the written contract | Parol Evidence Rule |
Define Integrated Contracts: | the written contract intended to be a complete and final statement of the terms of the agreement |
In an integrated contract, courts exclude an parol evidence that ____________ | contradicts the writing |
What are exceptions that allow parol evidence? | 1.Evidence of subsequent modifications
2. Oral evidence contract was voidv/oidable
3.Show meaning of ambiguous terms
4.to "fill in the gaps"
5.Prior dealings,court performance,usage in trade
6.Conditions precedent
7.Obvious clerical error |