Collateral Contract Overview
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Questions and Answers

In the context of collateral contracts, which statement is true regarding oral agreements?

  • Oral agreements have no legal standing in the presence of a written contract.
  • Oral agreements must always be documented in writing to be valid.
  • Oral agreements can entirely replace written contracts.
  • Oral agreements can exist alongside written contracts but cannot destroy the main contract. (correct)

What was the main finding in the case of Tan Chong and Sons Motor Co v Alan McKnight regarding warranties?

  • Printed conditions must always take precedence over oral statements.
  • The case determined that no warranties can be implied in any sales agreement.
  • Salesman representations can be overridden by signed agreements.
  • Oral statements made by salesmen can have overriding effect despite written clauses denying warranties. (correct)

Which scenario illustrates the application of an exception to the parol evidence rule?

  • A party claims that an oral collateral warranty allows for the return of unsuitable goods. (correct)
  • A written contract is unsigned but contains no clauses indicating any agreements.
  • A party relies on an oral agreement made after signing a written contract.
  • A party attempts to invalidate a written contract using previous written negotiation records.

What was the key issue in the case of D returning excavators to P after claiming they were unsuitable?

<p>D relied on a verbal collateral warranty regarding the return of the excavators. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of having a warranty in a contract?

<p>It provides assurance about the quality or condition of a product or service. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the doctrine of promissory estoppel?

<p>To prevent a party from enforcing a contract temporarily (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which condition is NOT required for promissory estoppel to be applicable?

<p>The promise must be in writing (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of collateral contracts, what does parol evidence allow?

<p>It permits the introduction of extrinsic evidence to supplement the contract (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes collateral contracts?

<p>They are separate agreements existing alongside a main contract (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the Parol Evidence Rule primarily restrict?

<p>The introduction of oral evidence to change written agreements (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not a condition for establishing promissory estoppel?

<p>The promise must be legally binding (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect does NOT fall under the purview of the Parol Evidence Rule?

<p>Agreement modifications after signing (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the evidence act of 1950 relate to oral agreements?

<p>It establishes the legality of oral agreements in specific contexts (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the Parol Evidence Rule?

<p>To protect the integrity of written contracts (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT an exception to the Parol Evidence Rule?

<p>Oral skills (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Under Section 92(b) of the Evidence Act, which type of oral agreement can be admitted?

<p>An agreement silent on a matter addressed in the written contract (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a collateral contract?

<p>An oral agreement that forms part of a main written contract (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about promissory estoppel is true?

<p>Promissory estoppel can allow an oral promise to be enforced. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which factor can invalidate a written document according to Section 92(a)?

<p>Mistake in fact or law (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Section 91 of the Evidence Act states that no evidence shall be given to prove the terms of a contract except for what?

<p>The document itself (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the Parol Evidence Rule primarily aim to prevent?

<p>The introduction of oral evidence affecting written contracts (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of the Parol Evidence Rule, what is meant by 'condition precedent' as per Section 92(c)?

<p>An obligation that must be met before the contract becomes effective (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Collateral Contract

A separate agreement made alongside a main contract, often to modify or add to the main contract.

Parol Evidence Rule

A rule of law that says written contracts cannot be contradicted or changed by earlier spoken or written agreements.

Collateral Contract's effect on Main Contract

A collateral contract, when valid, can modify, but not entirely destroy, the main contract, it adds to the contract but is valid only if supported by new consideration.

Oral Warranty

A promise or guarantee made orally that accompanies or adds to a written contract.

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Overriding Effect of Collateral Contracts

If a collateral contract contradicts a main contract's terms but is proven to exist, the collateral contract's terms are enforced over the main contract, as long as supported by fresh consideration.

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Promissory Estoppel

A doctrine where a promise can be enforced even if it lacks formal consideration, as long as the promisee relied on it and changed their position.

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Promissory Estoppel Condition: Contractual Relationship

Parties must be in a pre-existing contractual relationship for promissory estoppel to apply.

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Promissory Estoppel Condition: Promise/Statement

A promise or statement made by one party in the contract to the other must exist.

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Promissory Estoppel Condition: Reliance & Change

The party receiving the promise must have relied on it and changed their position, such as taking action.

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Promissory Estoppel Condition: Promisor's Withdrawal

The party making the promise can withdraw it by giving reasonable notice.

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Promissory Estoppel's Impact on Contract

Promissory estoppel does not modify the contract permanently, it only prevents enforcement temporarily while the conditions for the doctrine are met.

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S.91 Evidence Act 1950

This section states that when a contract is put in writing, only the written document can be used to prove the terms.

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S.92 Evidence Act 1950

This section prevents using oral agreements to contradict, modify, add to, or subtract from a written contract that has been proved according to Section 91.

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S.92(a)-(c) Exceptions

Specific situations where oral evidence can be used to challenge/invalidate the written contract, like fraud or mistakes in the document itself.

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Oral Contracts

Contracts created entirely through spoken agreement. There's rarely evidence to support those.

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Invalidating a document

Showing the document is not legally valid (e.g., because of fraud).

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Separate Oral Agreements (S.92(b))

Agreements related to matters not covered in the written contract, but not contradicting its terms.

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Condition Precedent (S.92(c))

oral agreements that must be fulfilled before a written contract obligation is initiated.

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Study Notes

Collateral Contract Overview

  • A collateral contract is a separate contract made alongside a main contract.
  • It's a promise made during negotiations, and if the intention to be bound is clear, it can create a contractual obligation.
  • This separate contract is subsidiary to the main contract.
  • It can be created in situations where one party refuses to enter the main contract unless the other party agrees to a separate promise.

Elements of a Collateral Contract

  • It's an oral contract.
  • It exists alongside the main contract.
  • It's independent of the main contract.
  • If the terms contradict, the collateral contract has precedence over the written contract, but it cannot nullify the essential elements of the main contract.
  • It's an exception to the parole evidence rule.

Establishing a Collateral Contract

  • The promisor (defendant) made a statement with the intention it would be relied upon.
  • That statement induced the other party to enter the main contract.
  • The statement is a warranty (a promise of fact).

Types of Warranties Defined

  • A warranty as a collateral guarantee forms a separate legally binding promise.
  • A warranty as an insignificant contract term is a promise of fact within the primary contract.

Case Examples (Illustrative)

  • Kluang Wood Products Sdn Bhd & Anor v Hong Leong Finance Berhad and Anor [1999]: This case demonstrates how to establish a collateral contract.
  • Tan Chong & Sons Motor Co Sdn Bhd v Alan McKnight: Highlights a situation where a statement made by a salesperson overrides the specific condition clause in the main contract.
  • Tan Swee Hoe v Ali Hussain Brothers: Emphasizes the "side-by-side" existence of an oral agreement alongside a written contract. Oral agreement creates a separate collateral contract, not contradicting the written contract conditions.
  • Industrial & Agricultural Distribution Sdn Bhd v Golden Sands Construction Sdn Bhd [1993]: Illustrates a case where an oral collateral warranty allowed one party to return an unsatisfactory product.

Parol Evidence Rule

  • Section 91 and 92 of the Evidence Act 1950 prohibit introducing oral evidence that contradicts, adds to, or subtracts from a written contract.
  • This rule protects the integrity of written agreements.

Exceptions to the Parol Evidence Rule

  • Collateral Contract: This is a primary exception to the rule.
  • Sections 92(a) - (c) of the Evidence Act 1950: Exceptions to the rule involving issues such as fraud, incapacity, or mistake.
  • Promissory Estoppel: A doctrine preventing a party from going back on a promise, even if not legally binding, if the other party relied on that promise to their detriment.

Distinguishing Collateral Contracts and Promissory Estoppel

  • A collateral contract establishes a separate contractual agreement alongside a main contract.
  • Promissory estoppel stops a party from enforcing the main contract if the original promise is relied upon, thus preventing detriment. It doesn't create a new contract.

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Description

This quiz explores the concept and elements of collateral contracts in legal negotiations. Understanding how these subsidiary agreements relate to main contracts will enhance your comprehension of contractual obligations. Test your knowledge on their establishment and legal significance.

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