Podcast
Questions and Answers
What was the primary reason the House of Lords deemed the settlement agreements valid despite the parties' earlier breaches?
What was the primary reason the House of Lords deemed the settlement agreements valid despite the parties' earlier breaches?
In which case did parties assert a contract existed due to cross-purpose mistakes?
In which case did parties assert a contract existed due to cross-purpose mistakes?
What is generally regarded as a last resort argument in contract law?
What is generally regarded as a last resort argument in contract law?
Why was Lever Bros limited in their legal actions against B and A?
Why was Lever Bros limited in their legal actions against B and A?
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What common issue arose from the contract in Raffles v Wickelhaus?
What common issue arose from the contract in Raffles v Wickelhaus?
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What principle can be drawn about mistakes in contracts from the cases discussed?
What principle can be drawn about mistakes in contracts from the cases discussed?
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How did B and A's past breaches of contract impact their settlement agreements?
How did B and A's past breaches of contract impact their settlement agreements?
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What does the principle of mistake as to quality imply regarding performance in contract law?
What does the principle of mistake as to quality imply regarding performance in contract law?
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What is necessary for a unilateral mistake to render a contract void?
What is necessary for a unilateral mistake to render a contract void?
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In the case of Cundy v Lindsay, which factor was crucial for the court's decision?
In the case of Cundy v Lindsay, which factor was crucial for the court's decision?
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What happens when a bona fide purchaser acquires goods that were mistakenly sold?
What happens when a bona fide purchaser acquires goods that were mistakenly sold?
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Which type of mistake does not generally affect the validity of a contract?
Which type of mistake does not generally affect the validity of a contract?
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What was the primary argument of the plaintiff in Cundy v Lindsay to void the contract?
What was the primary argument of the plaintiff in Cundy v Lindsay to void the contract?
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Which outcome occurred as a result of the court's ruling in the case of mistaken identity?
Which outcome occurred as a result of the court's ruling in the case of mistaken identity?
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What effect does the Competition Act 1998 have on contracts?
What effect does the Competition Act 1998 have on contracts?
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In a case where a mistake is made about the identity for non-vital reasons, what is the typical legal result?
In a case where a mistake is made about the identity for non-vital reasons, what is the typical legal result?
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What impact does a rogue's actions have on the relationship between an innocent purchaser and the mistaken party?
What impact does a rogue's actions have on the relationship between an innocent purchaser and the mistaken party?
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Which of the following types of contracts are commonly considered illegal at common law?
Which of the following types of contracts are commonly considered illegal at common law?
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What is a primary reason that covenants in restraint of trade are typically void?
What is a primary reason that covenants in restraint of trade are typically void?
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Under what condition can restraints of trade become enforceable?
Under what condition can restraints of trade become enforceable?
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Which employee group did NW Coaches Ltd likely have no legitimate business interest to protect?
Which employee group did NW Coaches Ltd likely have no legitimate business interest to protect?
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What kind of interest could NW Coaches Ltd argue they have in protecting their senior employees?
What kind of interest could NW Coaches Ltd argue they have in protecting their senior employees?
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What defines a reasonable restraint of trade according to the context given?
What defines a reasonable restraint of trade according to the context given?
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Why are certain contracts that challenge jurisdiction considered unenforceable?
Why are certain contracts that challenge jurisdiction considered unenforceable?
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What is the likely outcome if parties deal face-to-face and one party is impersonating another?
What is the likely outcome if parties deal face-to-face and one party is impersonating another?
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In written agreements, what determines with whom the innocent party intended to contract?
In written agreements, what determines with whom the innocent party intended to contract?
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What can indicate that a rogue is not addressed in the offer?
What can indicate that a rogue is not addressed in the offer?
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Which condition suggests that a contract with a rogue could be void?
Which condition suggests that a contract with a rogue could be void?
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What characterizes an illegal contract?
What characterizes an illegal contract?
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What is the general rule regarding illegal contracts?
What is the general rule regarding illegal contracts?
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When might a contract be void for mistake in dealings?
When might a contract be void for mistake in dealings?
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What is a valid reason for a contract to potentially be declared void for misrepresentation?
What is a valid reason for a contract to potentially be declared void for misrepresentation?
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What is the primary factor that dictates the reasonableness of a restraint of trade clause?
What is the primary factor that dictates the reasonableness of a restraint of trade clause?
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Which of the following circumstances would most likely lead to a restraint being considered unreasonable?
Which of the following circumstances would most likely lead to a restraint being considered unreasonable?
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What must be proven for a covenant in restraint of trade to be enforceable?
What must be proven for a covenant in restraint of trade to be enforceable?
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What is the legal standing of contracts that are deemed illegal?
What is the legal standing of contracts that are deemed illegal?
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How does the classification of a mistake affect the enforceability of a contract?
How does the classification of a mistake affect the enforceability of a contract?
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Which type of mistake is typically used as a last resort in legal arguments?
Which type of mistake is typically used as a last resort in legal arguments?
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What happens if a covenant in restraint of trade is found to be unreasonable?
What happens if a covenant in restraint of trade is found to be unreasonable?
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What must exist for legitimate business interests to justify a restraint of trade?
What must exist for legitimate business interests to justify a restraint of trade?
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Which of the following scenarios would likely render a contract void due to illegal performance?
Which of the following scenarios would likely render a contract void due to illegal performance?
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In the case of a speeding violation by a delivery driver, how does this affect the legality of the contract for delivery of goods?
In the case of a speeding violation by a delivery driver, how does this affect the legality of the contract for delivery of goods?
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What is the outcome when only one party is unaware of illegal performance in a contract?
What is the outcome when only one party is unaware of illegal performance in a contract?
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Which case illustrates the principle that a contract is not void if the illegal performance is incidental?
Which case illustrates the principle that a contract is not void if the illegal performance is incidental?
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How are contracts formed legally yet carried out illegally typically treated?
How are contracts formed legally yet carried out illegally typically treated?
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Which of the following elements is crucial in determining whether a contract is void due to illegal performance?
Which of the following elements is crucial in determining whether a contract is void due to illegal performance?
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What generally happens if both parties to a contract are aware of its illegal nature?
What generally happens if both parties to a contract are aware of its illegal nature?
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In what situation would a party be able to enforce a contract despite illegal performance?
In what situation would a party be able to enforce a contract despite illegal performance?
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Flashcards
Mistake in Contract
Mistake in Contract
A situation where both parties to a contract make a mistake about a fundamental aspect of the agreement, but the mistake is not serious enough to void the contract.
Unilateral Mistake
Unilateral Mistake
One party is mistaken about a crucial term of the contract, while the other party is aware of the mistake. This can happen when there is misleading information or a misinterpretation of facts.
Fundamental Mistake
Fundamental Mistake
A mistake that is so fundamental that it renders the entire contract void. This means the contract is considered never to have existed.
Cross-Purpose Mistake
Cross-Purpose Mistake
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Mistake Due to Forgetting
Mistake Due to Forgetting
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Last Resort Argument
Last Resort Argument
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Misrepresentation
Misrepresentation
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False Statement
False Statement
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Latent ambiguity
Latent ambiguity
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Mistake as to identity
Mistake as to identity
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Mistake as to attributes
Mistake as to attributes
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Cundy v Lindsay (1878)
Cundy v Lindsay (1878)
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Rescission
Rescission
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Bona fide purchaser
Bona fide purchaser
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Damages claim
Damages claim
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Face-to-Face Contracts
Face-to-Face Contracts
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Written Contracts and Impersonation
Written Contracts and Impersonation
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Transaction-Specific Attributes
Transaction-Specific Attributes
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Existing Known Parties
Existing Known Parties
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Illegality in Contracts
Illegality in Contracts
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Void Illegality
Void Illegality
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Incidental Illegal Performance
Incidental Illegal Performance
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Void Contracts Due to Illegality
Void Contracts Due to Illegality
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Mutual Knowledge of Illegality
Mutual Knowledge of Illegality
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No Recovery from Illegal Contracts
No Recovery from Illegal Contracts
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Unilateral Knowledge of Illegality
Unilateral Knowledge of Illegality
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Contracts Illegal Under Statute
Contracts Illegal Under Statute
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Contract Illegal in Itself
Contract Illegal in Itself
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Contracts Illegal at Common Law
Contracts Illegal at Common Law
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Covenant in Restraint of Trade
Covenant in Restraint of Trade
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Public Policy and Restraint of Trade
Public Policy and Restraint of Trade
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Legitimate Business Interest
Legitimate Business Interest
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Reasonable Restraint
Reasonable Restraint
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Restraint of Trade in Employment Contracts
Restraint of Trade in Employment Contracts
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Enforceability of Restraints of Trade
Enforceability of Restraints of Trade
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Unenforceable Restraints of Trade
Unenforceable Restraints of Trade
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Illegal Contracts
Illegal Contracts
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Void Contract
Void Contract
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Study Notes
Mistake and Illegality
- Contracts can be void for mistake or illegality
- A mistake may be fundamental, rendering performance impossible or radically different
- Mistake must precede and induce the contract
- Common mistake: both parties have the same fundamental mistake, e.g., subject matter doesn't exist
- Cross-purpose mistake: parties misunderstand a crucial aspect
- Unilateral mistake: one party is mistaken, e.g., mistaken identity
- Example of common mistake: Bell v Lever Bros (1932) - mistake about breach of contract not fundamental
- Example of cross-purpose mistake: Raffles v Wichelhaus (1864) - misunderstanding about ship's sailing date
- Example of unilateral mistake: Cundy v Lindsay (1878) - mistake about identity of the other party
Illegal Contracts
- Contracts can be illegal either at formation or due to performance
- Illegal contracts concern a crime, statutory provision violation or public policy
- Illegal contracts are generally void
- Contracts involving committing a legal wrong are void
Covenants in Restraint of Trade
- Clauses restricting activity post employment or business sale
- Often prima facie void; can be enforceable if:
- Legitimate business interest to protect, e.g., customer relationships, trade secrets
- Restraint is reasonable:
- Geographical area
- Duration
- Scope of prohibited activity
- Example: NW Coaches Ltd - example of employee covenants
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Description
This quiz covers the principles of mistake and illegality in contract law. It explores different types of mistakes that can void contracts, including common, cross-purpose, and unilateral mistakes. Additionally, it addresses the implications of illegal contracts and their enforceability.