Contracts: Formation and Content

25 important questions on Contracts: Formation and Content

What is a contract?

An agreement between two or more parties that is legally enforceable, and generates legally recognised rights and obligations

What are the exceptions to the privity of contract rule?

1. Agency
2. Leasing
3. Insuring
4. Named/designated third parties that are clearly meant to benefit from the contract

What 3 elements must be present for the formation of a contract?

1. Agreement of offer and acceptance
2. Intention to create a legally binding relationship
3. Presence of consideration
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When is an offer legally binding?

1. When it is accepted
2. When it has been communicated to the offeree
3. The terms of the offer are certain
4. The offer has not been terminated

What is the difference between an offer and an invitation to treat?

An invitation to treat is an invitation to negotiate. When a person responds by making a tender, that is the offer

What is the mirror image rule?

Pertains to the acceptance of an offer. An offer must be accepted exactly as it is, no modifications made

What is the last shot rule?

Rule that entails that when a delivery is made after a counter offer, it implies that the seller has accepted it.

In what two forms may a consideration of a contract manifest itself?

1. Bilateral - exchange of promises
2. Unilateral - act done in return for promise

How does one make a one-sided promise legally enforceable?

1. Through a deed
2. Trhoug nominal consideration

What is the Parol Evidence Rule?

If the contract is a formal written contract, no outside evidence can be used to vary the terms of it

What are the 3 categories of contract terms in English law?

1. Conditions
2. Warranties
3. Innominate

What is a condition?

A fundamental term, meaning it goes to the root of the contract. Breach gives innocent party right to claim damages and treat contract as terminated

What is the difference between express terms and implied terms?

Express terms are specifically agreed on by the parties (oral or written).

In what 3 ways can a term be implied in a contract?

1. Custom
2. Statute
3. By the courts

What is an exclusion clause?

Clause that entails exclusion of all liability for a party for breach of contract, misinterpretation or negligence, or to limit it

In what 3 ways must an exclusion clause be incorporated?

1. Way of notice (sign, should be visible)
2. Part of a signed document
3. Previous course of dealing (if standard contracts are used all the time in a business relationship, and an agreement is made over the phone this is also valid)

With what 3 conditions must an exclusion cause comply to be valid?

1. Contra proferentem rule (must cover exact circumstances in question)
2. Main purpose rule (it is presumed that the exclusion cause does not defeat the main purpose of the contract)
3. Fundamental breach (do parties really mean to exclude liability for fundament breach)

What is necessary for statutory product liability?

1. A product
2. Damages
3. A defect
4. Causation

What is the postal rule?

States that acceptance is complete when the offeree posts the letter to the offerer, regardless of whether the latter receives it

What is the doctrine of good faith?

Means that breaking off contractual negotiations once they have clearly gone beyond an initial stage, may have legal consequences

What is the Rule in Pinnel's case?

States that payment of a lesser amount than is owed cannot discharge the obligation to pay the full amount, even if the creditor has expressly agreed to release the other party from the original obligation

What is a unconscionable bargain?

A contract where the bargain is so one-sided as to be absolutely unreasonable


What is the four corners rule?

It is not possible to bring in external evidence that alters the terms of a written document. Every eventuality must thus be dealt with

What is the difference between a condition and a warranty?

A condition is seen as an integral part of a contract, while a warranty is only minor. A breach of condition gives the innocent party the right to treat the contract as discharged, while a breach of warranty merely gives rights to claim of damages

What is a vitiating factor?

A factor that can invalidate/ set aside a contract, if it emerges later that there was a defect in the contract at the time of agreement.

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