UNIT – 1
INDIAN CONTRACT ACT, 1872 PART 1
Q1. Which are the steps involved within a contract?
A 1)
Q2) DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AGREEMENT AND CONTRACT
A 2)
CONTRACT | AGREEMENT |
A contract is an agreement that's enforceable by law. | A promise or variety of promises that aren't contradicting and are accepted by the parties involved is an agreement.
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A contract is merely legally enforceable. | An agreement must be socially acceptable. It should or might not be enforceable by the law.
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A contract should create some legal obligation. | An agreement doesn’t create any legal obligations.
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All contracts also are agreements. | An agreement may or might not be a contract.
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Q3.What are the essential requirements of a contract?
A 3)
Q 4) Name the types of contracts.
A 4)
On the idea of validity
On the idea of formation
On the idea of Performance
On the bases of execution
1. On the idea of validity
a) Valid contract: An agreement which has all the essential elements of a contract is named a legitimate contract. A legitimate contract are often enforced by law.
b) Void contract [Section 2(g)]: A void contract may be a contract which ceases to be enforceable by law. A contract when originally entered into could also be valid and binding on the parties. It's going to subsequently become void. -- There are many judgments which have stated that where any crime has been converted into a "Source of Profit" or if any act to be done under any contract is against "Public Policy" under any contract— than that contract itself can't be enforced under the law-
c) Voidable contract [Section 2(i)]: An agreement which is enforceable by law at the option of 1 or more of the parties thereto, but not at the option of other or others, is a voidable contract. If the essential element of free consent is missing in a contract, the law confers right on the aggrieved party either to reject the contract or to accept it. However, the contract continues to be good and enforceable unless it's repudiated by the aggrieved party.
d) Illegal contract: A contract is against the law if it's forbidden by law; or is of such nature that, if permitted, would defeat the provisions of any law or is fraudulent; or involves or implies injury to an individual or property of another, or court regards it as immoral or against public policy. These agreements are punishable by law. These are void-ab-initio.
“All illegal agreements are void agreements but all void agreements aren't illegal.
e) Unenforceable contract: Where a contract is good in substance but due to some technical defect can't be enforced by law is termed unenforceable contract. These contracts are neither void nor voidable.
2. on the idea of formation
a) Express contract: Where the terms of the contract are expressly prescribed in words (written or spoken) at the time of formation, the contract is claimed to be express contract
b) Implied contract: An implied contract is one which is inferred from the acts or conduct of the parties or from the circumstances of the cases. Where a proposal or acceptance is formed otherwise than in words, promise is claimed to be implied.
c) Quasi contract: A contract is made by law. Thus, quasi contracts are strictly not contracts as there's no intention of parties to enter into a contract. It's legal obligation which is imposed on a celebration who is required to perform it. A contract is predicated on the principle that an individual shall not be allowed to complement himself at the expense of another.
3. on the idea of Performance
a) Unilateral contract: A agreement is one during which just one party has got to perform his obligation at the time of the formation of the contract, the opposite party having fulfilled his obligation at the time of the contract or before the contract comes into existence.
b) Bilateral contract: A contract is one during which the requirement on both the parties to the contract is outstanding at the time of the formation of the contract. Bilateral contracts also are referred to as contracts with executory consideration.
4. on the bases of execution
a) Executed contract: An executed contract is one during which both the parties have performed their respective obligation.
b) Executory contract: An executory contract is one where one or both the parties to the contract have still to perform their obligations in future. Thus, a contract which is partially performed or wholly unperformed is termed as executory contract.
Q5) Make a note on the rules of an offer.
A 5)
1] Offer must create Legal Relations
The offer must cause a contract that makes legal relations and legal consequences just in case of non-performance. So a social contract which doesn't create legal relations won't be a valid offer. Say for instance a dinner invitation extended by A to B isn't a valid offer.
2] Offer must be clear, not vague
The terms of the offer or proposal should be very clear and definite. If the terms are vague or unclear, it'll not amount to a valid offer. See example the following offer – A offers to sell B fruits worth Rs 5000/-. This is often not a valid offer since what sorts of fruits or their specific quantities aren't mentioned.
3] Offer must be communicated to the Offeree
For a proposal to be completed it must be clearly communicated to the offeree. No offeree can accept the proposal without knowledge of the offer. It makes clear that acceptance in ignorance of the proposal doesn't amount to acceptance.
4] Offer could also be Conditional
While acceptance can't be conditional, an offer could be conditional. The offeror can make the offer subject to any terms or conditions he deems necessary. So A offers to sell goods to B if he makes half the payment in advance. Now B can accept these conditions or make a counteroffer.
5] Offer cannot contain a Negative Condition
The non-compliance of any terms of the offer cannot result in automatic acceptance of the offer. Hence it cannot say that if acceptance isn't communicated by a particular time it'll be considered as accepted. Example: A offers to sell his cow to B for 5000/-. If the offer isn't rejected by Monday it'll be considered as accepted. This is often not a valid offer.
6] Offer is often specific or general
As we saw earlier the offer are often to at least one or more specific parties. Or the offer might be to the public generally.
7] Offer could also be Expressed or Implied
The offeror can make an offer through words or maybe by his conduct.
An offer which is formed via words, whether such words are written or spoken (oral contract) we call it an express contract and when an offer is formed through the conduct and therefore the actions of the offeror it's an implied contract.
Q6) What are the rules for valid acceptance?
A6)
Q 7) Mention the ways to terminate an offer.
A 7)
Q 8) Name the different types of standing offer.
A 8)
Q9) State the exceptions of the rule ‘no consideration no contract’
A 9)