8. Mistake

2021 ◽  
pp. 361-438
Author(s):  
Robert Merkin ◽  
Séverine Saintier
Keyword(s):  
Theoretical Basis ◽  
Case Law ◽  
Contract Law ◽  
Risk Allocation ◽  
Common Mistake ◽  
Mistaken Assumption ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Contractual Risk ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Selection Of

Poole’s Casebook on Contract Law provides a comprehensive selection of case law that addresses all aspects of the subject encountered on undergraduate courses. This chapter considers the area of ‘mistake’. The law distinguishes between several types of mistake. Some mistakes (‘agreement mistakes’) prevent formation of an agreement. These mistakes are mutual mistakes (where the parties are at cross purposes) and unilateral mistakes (where one party is mistaken and the other knows or ought to know this, e.g. unilateral mistake as to identity). The chapter also looks at document mistakes and specifically rectification of a written document to reflect accurately what the parties in fact agreed, and the plea of non est factum (‘this is not my deed’). Finally, a contract having no contractual allocation of risk and made under the same mistaken assumption may be void for ‘common mistake’ if the mistake is so fundamental that it ‘nullifies’ consent. This is known as ‘initial impossibility’ because the impossibility already exists when the parties agree to the contract. This chapter deals with common mistake and initial impossibility, contractual risk allocation, and the theoretical basis for the doctrine of common mistake. It discusses categories of fundamental common mistake, including res extincta, and assesses the legal effects of mistakes as to quality made by both parties. The chapter concludes by considering the relationship between common mistake and frustration.

13. Non-agreement mistake

2019 ◽  
pp. 603-633
Author(s):  
Robert Merkin ◽  
Séverine Saintier
Keyword(s):  
Theoretical Basis ◽  
Case Law ◽  
Risk Allocation ◽  
Common Mistake ◽  
Mistaken Assumption ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Contractual Risk ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Selection Of

The Casebook series provides a comprehensive selection of case law that addresses all aspects of the subject encountered on undergraduate courses. A contract having no contractual allocation of risk and made under the same mistaken assumption may be void for ‘common mistake’ if the mistake is so fundamental that it ‘nullifies’ consent. This is known as ‘initial impossibility’ because the impossibility already exists when the parties agree to the contract. This chapter deals with common mistake and initial impossibility, contractual risk allocation and the theoretical basis for the doctrine of common mistake. It discusses categories of fundamental common mistake, including res extincta, and assesses the legal effects of mistakes as to quality made by both parties. The chapter concludes by considering the relationship between common mistake and frustration.

12. Discharge by frustration: subsequent impossibility

2021 ◽  
pp. 599-627
Author(s):  
Robert Merkin ◽  
Séverine Saintier
Keyword(s):  
Theoretical Basis ◽  
Case Law ◽  
Contract Law ◽  
Law Reform ◽  
Risk Allocation ◽  
Force Majeure ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Contractual Obligations ◽  
Contractual Risk ◽  
Selection Of

Poole’s Casebook on Contract Law provides a comprehensive selection of case law that addresses all aspects of the subject encountered on undergraduate courses. Without the fault of either party, a contract may be automatically discharged due to frustration that renders further performance of the contract impossible, illegal, or radically different from what was originally conceived. In this case, the parties will be excused further performance of their contractual obligations. However, the frustration doctrine applies only where there is no express provision in the contract (a force majeure clause) allocating the risk. This chapter, which examines the frustration doctrine and discharge for subsequent impossibility, first considers the contractual risk allocation before turning to the theoretical basis for the doctrine of frustration. It then discusses limitations on the operation of the frustration doctrine before examining the effects of frustration and the effects on the parties’ positions of the Law Reform (Frustrated Contracts) Act 1943.

12. Discharge by frustration: subsequent impossibility

2019 ◽  
pp. 571-600
Author(s):  
Robert Merkin ◽  
Séverine Saintier
Keyword(s):  
Theoretical Basis ◽  
Case Law ◽  
Law Reform ◽  
Risk Allocation ◽  
Force Majeure ◽  
The Subject ◽  
The Law ◽  
Contractual Obligations ◽  
Contractual Risk ◽  
Selection Of

The Casebook series provides a comprehensive selection of case law that addresses all aspects of the subject encountered on undergraduate courses. Without the fault of either party, a contract may be automatically discharged due to frustration that renders further performance of the contract impossible, illegal, or radically different from what was originally conceived. In this case, the parties will be excused further performance of their contractual obligations. However, the frustration doctrine applies only where there is no express provision in the contract (a force majeure clause) allocating the risk. This chapter, which examines the frustration doctrine and discharge for subsequent impossibility, first considers the contractual risk allocation before turning to the theoretical basis for the doctrine of frustration. It then discusses limitations on the operation of the frustration doctrine before examining the effects of frustration and the effects on the parties’ positions of the Law Reform (Frustrated Contracts) Act 1943.

10. Duress, undue influence, and unconscionable bargains

2021 ◽  
pp. 507-564
Author(s):  
Robert Merkin ◽  
Séverine Saintier
Keyword(s):  
Case Law ◽  
Contract Law ◽  
The Other ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Undue Influence ◽  
Legal Effect ◽  
The Subject ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Selection Of ◽  
Made In

Poole’s Casebook on Contract Law provides a comprehensive selection of case law that addresses all aspects of the subject encountered on undergraduate courses. This chapter examines further vitiating factors which relate to the way in which the contract was entered into and render it voidable. It discusses the doctrines of duress and undue influence and whether contracts are affected by a general doctrine of unconscionability relating to the manner of formation and content relative to the nature and position of the contracting parties. The doctrine of economic duress allows for any contract to be set aside where unlawful threats to financial position were made in order to secure agreement. This doctrine is still evolving but represents a mechanism to prevent the enforceability of promises not freely given. Under the doctrine of undue influence, a contract may be set aside if one party has put unfair and improper pressure on the other in the negotiations leading up to the contract. The courts of equity have developed undue influence as one of the grounds of relief to prevent abuse of the influence of one person over another, particularly where the influence results from the nature of the relationship between the parties. The chapter examines types of undue influence, actual undue influence, presumed (or evidential) undue influence, undue influence exercised by a third party, the legal effect of undue influence, and the relationship between undue influence and unconscionability.

15. Remedies providing for specific relief and restitutionary remedies

2021 ◽  
pp. 769-796
Author(s):  
Robert Merkin ◽  
Séverine Saintier
Keyword(s):  
Attorney General ◽  
Supreme Court Decision ◽  
Case Law ◽  
Contract Law ◽  
The Supreme Court ◽  
Specific Performance ◽  
Total Failure ◽  
One Step ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Selection Of

Poole’s Casebook on Contract Law provides a comprehensive selection of case law that addresses all aspects of the subject encountered on undergraduate courses. This chapter deals with remedies providing for specific relief and so-called ‘restitutionary’ remedies. It first considers debt claims (agreed sums), before turning to specific performance and injunctions. It concludes by discussing restitution—recovery where there has been a total failure of consideration, and recovery on a quantum meruit (as where a contract fails to materialize)—following the Supreme Court decision of Morris-Garner and another v One Step (Support Ltd) and its impact on Wrotham Park damages and the availability and nature of the account of profits in Attorney-General v Blake.

5. Content of the contract and principles of interpretation

2021 ◽  
pp. 171-250
Author(s):  
Robert Merkin ◽  
Séverine Saintier
Keyword(s):  
Common Knowledge ◽  
Case Law ◽  
Contract Law ◽  
Supply Contracts ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Selection Of

Poole’s Casebook on Contract Law provides a comprehensive selection of case law that addresses all aspects of the subject encountered on undergraduate courses. This chapter examines what the parties to a contract have undertaken to do; that is, the terms of the contract, and the principles determining how the courts interpret the meaning of those contractual terms. It considers whether pre-contractual statements are terms or mere representations. The chapter then turns to written contracts, focusing on the parol evidence rule, entire agreement clauses, and the effect of signature on the contractual document. It also discusses oral contracts and incorporation of written terms in such contracts by means of signature, reasonable notice, consistent course of dealing, and common knowledge of the parties. In addition to express terms, this chapter looks at how terms are implied, particularly terms implied by the courts—terms implied in law and terms implied in fact. There is discussion of the typical implied terms in sale and supply contracts in the B2B and B2C context. Finally, this chapter focuses on the principles governing the interpretation of contractual terms.

Poole's Casebook on Contract Law

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Merkin QC ◽  
Séverine Saintier
Keyword(s):  
Case Law ◽  
Contract Law ◽  
Undue Influence ◽  
Breach Of Contract ◽  
Legal Principles ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Selection Of

The Casebook series provides a comprehensive selection of case law that addresses all aspects of the subject encountered on undergraduate courses. Extracts have been chosen from a wide range of historical and contemporary cases to illustrate the reasoning processes of the courts and to show how legal principles are developed. The book begins with some guidance on reading cases, and then turns to agreement and agreement problems. Next it looks at the enforceability of promises and intention to be legally bound and the capacity to contract. The content of the contract is examined. Exemption clauses and unfair contract terms are analysed in detail. The book also considers issues relating to breach of contract and remedies, and excuses for non-performance. Finally it discusses initial impossibility, misrepresentation, duress, undue influence, and illegality.

Poole's Casebook on Contract Law

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Merkin QC ◽  
Séverine Saintier
Keyword(s):  
Case Law ◽  
Contract Law ◽  
Undue Influence ◽  
Breach Of Contract ◽  
Legal Principles ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Selection Of

Poole’s Casebook on Contract Law provides a comprehensive selection of case law that addresses all aspects of the subject encountered on undergraduate courses. Extracts have been chosen from a wide range of historical and contemporary cases to illustrate the reasoning processes of the courts and to show how legal principles are developed. The book begins with some guidance on reading cases, and then turns to agreement and agreement problems. Next it looks at the enforceability of promises and intention to be legally bound and the capacity to contract. The content of the contract is examined. Exemption clauses and unfair contract terms are analysed in detail. The book then considers initial impossibility, misrepresentation, duress, undue influence, and illegality. The book ends by discussing issues relating to breach of contract and remedies, and excuses for non-performance.

11. Illegality

2021 ◽  
pp. 565-596
Author(s):  
Robert Merkin ◽  
Séverine Saintier
Keyword(s):  
Public Policy ◽  
Supreme Court Decision ◽  
Case Law ◽  
Contract Law ◽  
Exclusive Dealing ◽  
The Supreme Court ◽  
The Subject ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Restraint Of Trade ◽  
Selection Of

Poole’s Casebook on Contract Law provides a comprehensive selection of case law that addresses all aspects of the subject encountered on undergraduate courses. A contract may be deemed illegal or void on grounds of public policy. This chapter examines the illegality of contracts under English law, contracts prohibited by statute (express prohibition), and contracts that are illegal in their performance. It considers contracts that are void on grounds of public policy, focusing on contracts in restraint of trade, covenants between employer and employee, exclusive dealing agreements, exclusive service agreements, and severance of the objectionable parts of covenants. The chapter also discusses the recovery of money or property transferred under an illegal contract, along with the UK Law Commission’s proposed reform of the law governing illegal contracts and the Supreme Court decision of Patel v Mirza over controversy concerning the nature of illegality, the basis for intervention in illegal contracts, and the ability to recover under an illegal contract.

4. Enforceability of promises: consideration and promissory estoppel

2019 ◽  
pp. 131-184
Author(s):  
Robert Merkin ◽  
Séverine Saintier
Keyword(s):  
Case Law ◽  
Contract Law ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Selection Of

The Casebook series provides a comprehensive selection of case law that addresses all aspects of the subject encountered on undergraduate courses. In order to be enforceable, a promise must either be supported by consideration or be expressed in the form of a deed. This stems from the assumption in English contract law that only bargains should be enforced. This chapter examines the enforceability of promises, focusing on consideration and promissory estoppel. The case law has addressed what can constitute consideration and whether a promise can be enforced in the absence of consideration. The chapter focuses particularly on the enforceability of alteration promises, discusses part-payment of a debt, when and how the doctrine of promissory estoppel will operate, and how far the doctrine can be extended.

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