Legal Capacity
Infancy
Illegality
Mistake
Defenses to a Contract
100

What is the difference between adjudicated incompetent and unadjudicated incompetent? 

  • Adjudicated incompetent: Actions are void

  • Unadjudicated incompetent: Actions are voidable, but they can affirm during a period of being lucid.

100

Mistaken about the subject matter example with the cow? 

It was a mutual mistake because the price went up after they realized the cow was pregnant and not barren

100

What is the difference between a void and voidable contract? 

Voide: The contract is as if it never was. It is void ab initio (from its inception is not legally enforceable)

Voidable: The contract will be valid and enforceable UNLESS one party exercises his right to void it.





100

mutual mistake is void or voidable? 

voidable

100

What are the four defenses to a contract? 

  1. Incapacity 
  2. Illegality
  3. Mistake 
  4. Ambiguity
200

True or False: Intoxicated persons are treated as an adjudicated incompetent. 

False

200

What case would you  mention in a hypo regarding infants? 

Halbman v. Lemke 

200

What is the "illegal purpose" approach based on timing?

Subject matter is legal, but the purpose is illegal. Here the contract is voidable.

200

A lifeguard sees an individual drowning in the lake. The lifeguard says, "Hey, I'm about to go on break." Is there a duty of care! 

Yes, because there is a contractual duty of care
200

What are four other defenses to a contract?

  1. Duress
  2. Undue influence 
  3. Fraud 
  4. Unconscionability
300

A non-adjudicated incompetent individual establishes their incapacity via the ______. 

Cognitive test. 
300

True or False: a person at the age of 17 can disaffirm a contract

True! An infant during their minority years can disaffirm the contract. 

300

_____ are contrary to public policy. They need not violate the crim law, nor must the parties conduct be tortious. 

Illegal Ks

300

What are the three requirements of mutual mistake? 

  • The mistake must concern a basic assumption on which the contract was made
  • The mistake must have a material affect on the agreed exchange of performances, and 
  • The adversely affected party must not bear the risk of the mistake
300

What is the difference between void and voidable? 

  • Void (never could have been valid- void ab initio/from the start)- insanity
  • Voidable (can exist but because of a defense, they could walk away and make it voidable- minor 
400

True or False: Corporations always have the capacity to contract! 

FALSE! They have the capacity unless contract exceeds their legal power as written in their corporate charter 

400

Contracts entered into by an infant are voidable at his option, but the infant may still be liable for _____ (______) and ____ to ____ parties of the contract. 

necessaries (reasonable values); and services to third parties of the contract

400

What is the exception for intoxicated persons being an unadjudicated incompetent? 

The intoxicated person's act is voidable ONLY when the other party has reason to know of the intoxication

400

A unilateral mistake will only be a defense if 

A unilateral mistake will only be a defense if the other party knew or should have known that a mistake was being made.

400

What is undue influence? 

The use of excessive pressure to persuade one who is vulnerable to the pressure to enter in a contract.

500

How does a non-adjudicated incompetent establish their incapacity? 

Cognitive test 

  • He must show that he did not understand the nature and consequences of his or her action in entering into the K; or 

  • Formation was an uncontrolled reaction, and the other party had reason to know of the condition. 

500

When can an infant disaffirm the contract?

  • During minority; or 
  • Within a reasonable time after reaching a majority
500

What are the four approaches to illegality

(1) public policy 

(2) acceptance (prior to acceptance) 

(3) illegal subject matter 

(4) Illegal purpose 

500

Ignore of mistake : if there is a unilateral mistake and ____________________.

if there is a unilateral mistake and the other party was not aware of it and accepts the offer, there is a valid contract UNLESS enforcement would be unconscionable.

500

All 8 defenses are: 

(1) legal capacity (2) illegality (3) mistake (4) ambiguity (5) duress (6) undue influence (7) fraud (8) unconscionability