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What is the general approach of the courts when parties make an incompetent agreement?
What is an agreement to agree?
What is the key difference between lock-in agreements and lock-out agreements?
What is the effect of a cancellation clause that is too wide?
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What is required for a mistake to render a contract void?
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What is the result of a court finding that a contract is void due to mistake?
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What is the case that determined that lock-in agreements are not enforceable?
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What type of mistake can render a contract void?
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What is the seller entitled to be paid in according to s28?
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What happens if a cheque is not honoured?
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What is the consequence of payment by credit card?
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Why is it advisable to include a provision ensuring that payment takes place only when a cheque has been cleared?
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Why is it sensible to include a specific contractual provision to allow the seller to claim interest in the event of late payment?
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When does the credit period commence?
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What is the significance of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1934?
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Why is it in the seller's interests to make time for payment of the essence?
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What is the main obligation of the seller in a sale of goods contract?
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What type of terms are considered fundamental to the contract and breach of which will entitle a party to terminate?
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What is the purpose of an indemnity clause in a contract?
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What is the term for standard clauses which are common to agreements of a certain type?
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What is the purpose of a Limitations and Exclusions clause in a contract?
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What type of clause provides that all of the obligations of the parties are recorded in one document?
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What is the term for the end of the contract where the parties provide their signatures?
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What is the main obligation of the buyer in a sale of goods contract?
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What is the main purpose of a No-Authority Clause in a contract?
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What is the term for a clause that prevents oral variations to a contract?
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What was the outcome of the MWB Business Exchange Centres Ltd v Rock Advertising Ltd case?
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What is the consequence of including a NOM clause in a contract?
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What is the purpose of restricting the grant of variations or waivers to certain members of staff?
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What is the effect of a seller reneging on their promise to accept £8,000 for goods?
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What is the consequence of not complying with the formalities set out in a NOM clause?
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What is the main purpose of including a NOM clause in a contract?
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What is the primary factor in determining the satisfactory quality of goods in a sale?
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What is implied by s14(2B) in relation to satisfactory quality?
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What is the primary consideration in determining whether goods are fit for a particular purpose?
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In the absence of any information to the contrary, what is the seller entitled to assume about the goods?
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What is the implication of s14(3) in relation to the sale of goods?
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What is considered in determining whether goods are of satisfactory quality?
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What is a factor that is taken into account in determining whether goods are of satisfactory quality?
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What is a consideration in determining whether goods are fit for a particular purpose?
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Study Notes
Sale of Goods Contract
- A seller is obliged to sell and deliver goods of a certain description and quality.
- A buyer is obliged to pay the price.
Representations and Conditions
- Fundamental terms of the contract, breach of which will entitle a party to terminate.
- Warranties are less important terms, breach of which normally gives rise to damages only.
Indemnities
- One party promises to make good another's loss on the happening of a particular event.
Limitations and Exclusions
- The contract may seek to limit or exclude a party's liability for a particular event.
- Such limitations and exclusions will be subject to reasonableness under UCTA 1977.
Boiler-Plate Clauses
- Standard clauses common to agreements of a certain type.
- Address the mechanics of an agreement and common legal points relevant to most transactions.
- Examples include an Entire Agreement Clause.
Execution Clause and Signature
- The end of the contract will normally provide for the signatures of the parties.
- Formalities required for execution depend on the identity of the parties and the type of contract.
Agreements to Agree
- An agreement to enter into a contract at a later date, or an agreement that a certain provision will be agreed between the parties after the commencement of the contract.
- Such agreements are void.
Lock-In Agreements
- A lock-in agreement is where A is contractually obliged to negotiate with B and no-one else.
- These are distinct from lock-out agreements, where A is not obliged to negotiate with B, but agrees not to negotiate with anyone else.
- Lock-out agreements may be enforceable, but lock-in agreements will not be.
Cancellation Clauses
- If a cancellation clause in the contract is too wide, it may have the effect of invalidating the contract altogether.
Mistake
- An erroneous belief, at contracting, that certain facts are true, may render the contract void.
- To have an effect on the contract, the mistake must have occurred before the contract was made.
Drafting to Prevent Unauthorised Variation
- No-Authority Clauses are intended to prevent unauthorised variations to contracts by limiting who within a business is able to agree to a valid variation.
- These clauses may restrict the grant of variations or waivers to certain members of staff or prevent oral variations.
Method of Payment
- The seller is entitled to be paid in cash (s28).
- It is advisable to include a provision ensuring that payment by cheque is treated as a conditional payment.
- Payment by credit card is an absolute payment, so a failure by the credit card company to pay the seller does not entitle the seller to sue the customer.
Interest on Late Payment
- Certain statutes allow interest to be awarded for late payment, e.g., the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1934.
- It is sensible to include a specific contractual provision to allow the seller to claim interest in the event of late payment.
Satisfactory Quality
- In a sale in the course of a business, the goods are to be, objectively, of satisfactory quality (s14(2)).
- The price and description of the goods will be taken into account in deciding whether or not the goods are of satisfactory quality.
- Factors to be considered include fitness for the common purposes of the goods, appearance and finish, freedom from minor defects, safety, and durability.
Fitness for Purpose
- s14(3) implies a term that the goods are fit for any particular purpose which the buyer makes known to the seller, either expressly or by implication.
- In the absence of any information to the contrary, the seller is entitled to assume that the goods will be used for their normal purpose.
- Where a buyer requires goods for a particular (non-normal) purpose, it must inform the seller before the contract is made to benefit from this right.
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Description
This quiz covers the fundamentals of a sale of goods contract, including the obligations of the seller and buyer, and the differences between representations, conditions, and warranties.