Legality, Consent, and Writing

“A verbal contract isn’t worth the paper it’s written on.”

Samuel Goldwyn, Hollywood producer

“I am not young enough to

know everything.”J.M. Barrie,

British playwright

Noncompete agreement: When an employee promises not to work for a competitor for some time after leaving his company◦ Sale of a business - Noncompete agreements

related to the sale of a business are enforceable if reasonable in time, activity, and territory

◦ The California exception - In California, noncompete agreements are not enforceable in employment contracts

◦ A noncompete is valid only if: The employee signs it at the same time she is selling

her share of a company It is reasonable in time, activity, and territory

Unenforceable:◦ When it attempts to exclude an intentional tort or

gross negligence◦ When the affected activity is in the public interest,

such as medical care, public transportation, or some essential service

◦ When the parties have greatly unequal bargaining power

◦ Unless the clause is clearly written and readily visible

A contract that a court refuses to enforce because of fundamental unfairness

The two factors that most often led a court to find unconscionability were: ◦ Oppression: One party uses its superior power to

force a contract on the weaker party◦ Surprise: The weaker party did not fully

understand the consequences of its agreement

Capacity: Concerns the legal ability of a party to enter a contract in the first place◦ Someone may lack capacity because of his young

age or mental infirmity

Consent: Refers to whether a contracting party truly understood what she was getting into and whether she made the agreement voluntarily◦ Consent issues arise in cases of:

Fraud Mistake Duress Undue influence

Two groups of people usually lack legal capacity◦ Minors ◦ Those with a mental impairment

Similar rules that protect minors protect mentally impaired people

In contract law, a minor is someone under the age of 18◦ A minor normally can create only a voidable

contract Because a minor lacks legal capacity

◦ A voidable contract may be canceled by the party who lacks capacity

Disaffirm: To give notice of refusal to be bound by an agreement◦ A minor who wishes to escape from a contract

generally may disaffirm it Rescind: To cancel a contract

◦ A minor can undo a contract that has already been completed by filing a suit to rescind the contract

Restitution: Restoring an injured party to its original position◦ A minor who disaffirms a contract must return the

consideration he has received, to the extent he is able

Parties can make three claims in an effort to rescind a contract based on lack of valid consent: ◦ Fraud◦ Mistake◦ Duress

Begins when a party to a contract says something that is factually wrong

An injured person must show the following:◦ The defendant knew that his statement was false,

or that he made the statement recklessly and without knowledge of whether it was false Opinions and “puffery” do not amount to fraud

◦ The false statement was material◦ The injured party justifiably relied on the

statement

Plaintiff’s remedies for fraud - The injured party generally has a choice of:◦ Rescinding the contract◦ Suing for damages◦ In some cases, doing both

Bilateral mistake: Occurs when both parties negotiate based on the same factual error◦ If the parties contract based on an important

factual error, the contract is voidable by the injured party

Unilateral mistake: Occurs when only one party enters a contract under a mistaken assumption◦ To rescind, a party must demonstrate that she

entered the contract because of a basic factual error and that either: Enforcing the contract would be unconscionable or The nonmistaken party knew of the error

An improper threat made to force another party to enter into a contract

In analyzing a claim of economic duress, courts look at these factors:◦ Acts that have no legitimate business purpose◦ Greatly unequal bargaining power◦ An unnaturally large gain for one party◦ Financial distress to one party

A plaintiff may not enforce any of the following agreements unless the agreement, is in writing and signed by the defendant◦ For any interest in land◦ That cannot be performed within one year◦ To pay the debt of another◦ Made by an executor of an estate◦ Made in consideration of marriage◦ For the sale of goods worth $500 or more

Once a contract is fully executed, it makes no difference that it was unwritten

Agreements for an interest in land◦ A contract for the sale of any interest in land must

be in writing to be enforceable◦ Exceptions:

Full performance by the seller - If the seller completely performs her side of a contract for an interest in land, a court is likely to enforce the agreement, even if it was oral

Part performance by the buyer - The buyer of land may be able to enforce an oral contract if she paid part of the purchase price and either entered upon the land or made improvements to it

Agreements that cannot be performed within one year - Unenforceable unless they are in writing

Promise to pay the debt of another - A collateral promise

Promise made by an executor of an estate◦ Executor - The person who is in charge of an

estate after someone dies Promise made in consideration of marriage -

Must be in writing to be enforceable

Must be signed by the defendant Must state with reasonable certainty:

◦ The name of each party◦ The subject matter of the agreement◦ All of the essential terms and promises

Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (E-SIGN): Declares that contracts cannot be denied enforcement simply because they are in electronic form, or signed electronically

The UCC requires a writing for the sale of goods worth $500 or more◦ UCC §2-201(1)—The Basic Rule

A contract for the sale of goods worth $500 or more is not enforceable unless there is some writing, signed by the defendant, indicating that the parties reached an agreement

Refers to anything, apart from the written contract itself, that was said, done, or written before the parties signed the agreement or as they signed it

Integrated contract: A writing that the parties intend as the final, complete expression of their agreement

““No matter how profitable a No matter how profitable a particular contract clause may particular contract clause may

appear to be, it is worthless if it is appear to be, it is worthless if it is illegal. Make sure your agreement is illegal. Make sure your agreement is

lawful.”lawful.”