BCOC 133 . BUSINESS LAW BLOCK-1 GENERAL LAW OF CONTRACT UNIT -1 ESSENTIAL OF CONTRACT (IMPORTANT NOTES)
*What is a contract *:-
A contract is legally binding agreement between two or more parties that creates an obligation
to do or retrain from doing a particular thing. It involves mutual exchange of promises, where
each party agrees to provide something of value, such as goods, services , money or
performance, in exchange something value from the other party. For contract to be valid it
typically require certain essential elements, includes
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Offer and acceptance:-there must be clear offer by one party and corresponding acceptance by the other party
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Legal capacity:-each party must have the legal capacity to enter in to a contract, meaning they are mentally competent and of legal age
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Lawful object:-the purpose of the contract must be legal and not against the public policy
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Consideration:-there must mutual exchange of something of value(consideration)
between the parties
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Certainty and possibility of performance:-term of the contact must be clear ,and
performance must be possible.
Contract can be writing or oral.
Difference between an Agreement and Contract Agreement Contact
Every agreements may not be a contract All contacts are agreements. Classification of contract
1.Based on formation:-
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Express contract:- the terms and conditions are explicitly stated, either verbally or
writing.
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Implied contract:- the agreements id inferred from the parties’ conduct or the
circumstances. 2.Based on execution :-
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Executed contract:-all parties full filled their obligation
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Executory contract:- not all parties have full filled their obligations. 3.Based on enforceability :-
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Valid contract:- a contract that is legally valid
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Void contract:- lack of legal validity from the beginning and is not enforceable
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Voidable contract:- one party has the option to void the contract due to certain legal
An agreement is a broader term that refers to mutual understanding or arrangement between two or more parties.it can be either verbal or written |
A contact is a specific type of agreement that is legally binding and enforceable by law. It involves a promise or set of promises between parties. |
An agreement may or may not be legally binding. Some agreements are not intended to create legal obligations . |
A contract necessarily creates legal obligation |
defects.
1. Illegal or unlawful contract :-the agreement which can termed as illegal or unlawful.
Distinction between void agreement and voidable contract
Base Void agreement Voidable contract
Definition |
A void agreement is one that is essentially without any legal effect from the beginning |
A voidable contract is one that initially valid but has a defect that allows one party to void or cancel the contract at their option |
Enforceability |
It lacks legal enforceability and the court will not recognise or up holds it terms |
It is enforceable until the party with the power to void decides to exercise that power |
Legal consequences |
Parties to void agreement cannot sue each other to enforce the terms of the agreement because , from a legal stand point, the agreement never existed |
The party with the power to void can choose to either affirm the contract or void it. If they choose to void the contact become void from the beginning |
Examples |
Agreements with object such as an agreement to commit a crime or agreements against public policy are considered as void |
Contract entered in to under duress, undue influence ,fraud or by a party lacking the capacity to contract (eg: a minor) are examples of voidable contract. |
Difference between void agreement and illegal agreement Illegal agreement
Void agreement
It is essential without any legal effect from
the beginning
All void agreements are not illegal
Court will not recognise or enforce the terms
a void agreement
It involves a contract that is expressly
prohibited by law
All illegal agreement are void
Court will not enforce the terms of an illegal
agreement
Essentials of valid contract)
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1) Offer :- there must be clear and definite proposal made by one party( the
offeror)the other party( the offeree) expressing willing to enter a contract
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2) Acceptance :-the offeree must unconditionally agree to the terms of the offer
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3) Intention to create a legal relations:- both parties must have genuine intention to
create legal obligations.
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4) Legal capacity :-both parties have the legal capacity to enter in to a contract. It
means they are sound mind, not under the influence of substances, and not
minors
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5) Free consent:- the consent of both parties must be freely given without any
undue influence, coercion , misrepresentation ,fraud or mistake
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6) Lawful object:- the purpose of the contract must be legal
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7) Not expressly declared void:-the contract must not be expressly declared void by
law
8)Certainty and possibility of performance :-the term of the contract must be clear and certain, and performance must be possible.
9)Legal formalities:-some contracts require certain formalities for validity such as being writing
Some useful words from chapter:-
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1) Enforceable :-contract or legal agreements is valid and can be upheld and implemented
through legal means.
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2) Void:- it refers something that is without legal effects or validity
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3) Voidable:- it means that a contract or agreement is initially valid and enforceable but it
contains a legal defect that allows one party the option to void or cancel it under certain specific condition.
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