Law of Obligations Overview

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is the debtor required to do regarding the condition of the thing to be delivered?

Deliver it without any attention to its previous state

Modify it as they see fit before delivery

Ensure it is of lesser quality than agreed upon

Maintain it in the same condition as when the obligation was contracted (correct)

Which of the following actions can a creditor take in a specific real obligation?

Cancel the contract without reason

Demand specific performance with the right to indemnity for damages (correct)

Ignoring the obligation until further notice

Transfer the obligation to another party without consent

What type of fruits are defined as the spontaneous products of the soil?

Natural fruits (correct)

Industrial fruits

Artificial fruits

Civil fruits

In what situation can a generic real obligation be performed by a third person?

Since the object is expressed only according to its family or genus Signup and view all the answers

What occurs if the debtor delays the delivery of a promised specific obligation?

The creditor may demand rescission or cancellation of the obligation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes civil fruits?

Fruits that arise from a juridical relation Signup and view all the answers

What liability does a debtor have if they commit fraud or negligence in fulfilling an obligation?

Liable for damages incurred by the creditor Signup and view all the answers

When does a creditor become the owner of a delivered item?

Only after the specific thing has been delivered to them Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of an obligation?

To establish a legal relationship binding one party to fulfill a prestation. Signup and view all the answers

What is the appropriate remedy if a debtor fails to meet a personal obligation that requires specific performance?

Indemnification for damages Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT an essential element of a cause of action?

A personal belief in the validity of the claim. Signup and view all the answers

What happens if any essential element of a cause of action is absent in a complaint?

The complaint may be dismissed on grounds of failure to state a cause of action. Signup and view all the answers

What must occur for a court to order that an action be undone?

It must still be possible to reverse the action Signup and view all the answers

In the context of obligations, what does the term 'prestation' refer to?

The specific performance or act that one party is bound to fulfill. Signup and view all the answers

In the absence of demand for payment, what is the status of a mortgagor's non-payment of taxes?

It has no effect on the obligations of the mortgagor Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of filing a foreclosure suit by the creditor?

It serves as a notice for intent to collect payment Signup and view all the answers

Which scenario illustrates a violation of a legal obligation?

A debtor failing to pay a loan on time. Signup and view all the answers

Which among the following statements is true regarding the intent of time in contracts?

Intent is enough without needing to categorize time as essential Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes a 'wrong' in the context of obligations and contracts?

An act or omission violating someone's legal rights, causing injury. Signup and view all the answers

What is the requirement for a legal right to be maintained in a cause of action?

It must exist within the confines of law, irrespective of origin. Signup and view all the answers

What happens when a mortgagor's failure to pay taxes occurs?

It makes the loan immediately due and payable Signup and view all the answers

The term 'obligator' refers to which party in an obligation?

The party fulfilling the prestation. Signup and view all the answers

In what case can a mortgage contract be deemed non-breach despite the debtor's non-payment of taxes?

If there was no previous demand for taxes or loan payment Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately describes personal obligations related to mortgage contracts?

They cannot result in involuntary servitude Signup and view all the answers

What constitutes negligence according to reasonable care standards?

Taking adequate precautions against foreseeable risks Signup and view all the answers

What is a fortuitous event classified as?

Extraordinary events that cannot be foreseen or avoided Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a factor to be considered in determining negligence?

Personal relationships of the parties Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes 'force majeure'?

An extraordinary event caused by acts of God Signup and view all the answers

What is a requirement for something to be classified as a fortuitous event?

It must be independent of human will Signup and view all the answers

What are the kinds of fortuitous events based on their foreseeability?

Ordinary and extraordinary events Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately describes an extraordinary fortuitous event?

It is uncommon and could not have been reasonably foreseen Signup and view all the answers

What directly results from the occurrence of a fortuitous event?

Impossibility of performance of the obligation Signup and view all the answers

What happens to a conditional obligation that is void due to its validity relying on the debtor's will?

It remains void and has no legal effect. Signup and view all the answers

In a situation where specific payment time cannot be agreed upon by debtor and creditor, what does the court do?

Fixes the payment time upon application from either party. Signup and view all the answers

What does the acquisition of rights depend on in a suspensive condition?

The happening of the event that constitutes the condition. Signup and view all the answers

When a debtor states they will pay 'as soon as I have the money', what is the implication of this statement?

The obligation remains valid but is not demandable until the condition is met. Signup and view all the answers

If the debtor has a pre-existing obligation that does not depend on a condition, what happens if the condition is void?

Only the condition is considered void, leaving the obligation intact. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of stating a debt can be paid 'at any time I have the money'?

It delays the obligation indefinitely based on the debtor's financial situation. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about the debtor's promises is true?

They can only be enforced if the debtor is in a favorable financial position. Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of an obligation with a suspensive condition based on the will of the creditor?

The obligation remains valid and enforceable. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Meaning of Obligation

Obligation is a juridical tie or bond that binds one party (debtor) to perform a prestation (giving a thing, doing an act, or refraining from doing an act) in favor of another party (creditor).

Existence of Cause of Action

Requires three elements:
- A legal right in favor of a person.
- A correlative legal obligation on another to respect that right.
- An act or omission violating the right, causing injury to the plaintiff.

Duties of Debtor in Obligation to Deliver a Generic Thing

Deliver a thing of the quality intended by the parties, considering the purpose and circumstances of the obligation.
Be liable for damages in case of fraud, negligence, delay, or violation of the terms of the obligation.

Remedies of Creditor in Real Obligation

In specific real obligations (determinate thing):
- Demand specific performance or fulfillment of the obligation with damages.
- Demand rescission or cancellation of the obligation with damages.
In generic real obligations (determined by genus):
- Can be performed by a third party.
- Creditor can demand performance but does not need to compel the debtor to deliver.

Different Kinds of Fruits

Natural fruits: Spontaneous products of the soil and products of animals.
Industrial fruits: Produced through cultivation or labor.
Civil fruits: Derived from juridical relation.

Non-Payment of Debt

The constitutional prohibition of non-payment of debt only applies to purely civil debts arising from contractual obligations.

When Debtor Delays or Has Promised Delivery to Separate Creditors

If a specific thing is promised to multiple creditors, the debtor must deliver the thing to the creditor to whom it was first delivered. The first delivery establishes ownership.

Fortuitous Event vs. Force Majeure

Fortuitous event: An extraordinary event that cannot be foreseen, or if foreseen, is inevitable. It can be classified as acts of man or acts of God.
- Acts of man: War, fire, robbery, murder, insurrection, etc.
- Acts of God (force majeure): Earthquake, flood, rain, shipwreck, lightning, volcanic eruption, etc.
Force majeure is another term for acts of God.

Kinds of Fortuitous Event

Ordinary: Common and foreseeable by the parties.
Extraordinary: Uncommon and unforeseeable by the parties.

Requisites of Fortuitous Event

Independent of the obligor's will.
Unforeseeable or unavoidable.

Impossibility of Performance Must Result From Occurrence of Fortuitous Event

The impossibility of fulfilling the obligation must be the direct consequence of the fortuitous event.

Period for Performance of Obligation

If the debtor's obligation is to pay "when his means permit him to do," the debtor only controls the duration of the period, not the obligation itself.
The court will set a reasonable time for payment if both parties cannot agree.

Characteristics of a Condition

Future and uncertain event.
The effectivity or extinguishment of an obligation depends on its happening.

Conditional Obligation

Suspensive condition: The obligation becomes effective upon the happening of the condition.
Resolutory condition: The obligation ceases upon the happening of the condition.

Other Cases of Indeterminate Period

"Little by little."
"As soon as possible."
"From time to time."
"As soon as I have the money."
"At any time I have the money."
"In partial payments."

Where Suspensive Condition Depends upon the Will of the Debtor

Conditional obligation void: The validity and compliance are left to the debtor's will, making it unenforceable.
Only the condition void: If the obligation is pre-existing, only the condition is void, leaving the obligation unaffected.

Where Suspensive Condition Depends Upon the Will of the Creditor

The obligation is valid.
The creditor may choose to enforce the right or not.

Effect of Happening of Condition

In a suspensive condition, the happening of the condition gives the creditor the right to demand performance.
In a resolutory condition, the happening of the condition extinguishes the obligation.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

This quiz covers the essential concepts of obligations in law, including the meaning of obligation, the existence of a cause of action, duties of debtors, and remedies available to creditors. Test your understanding of these legal principles and their applications.