© 2004 West Legal Studies in Business A Division of Thomson Learning 1 Chapter 12 Contracts: Capacity and Legality Chapter 12 Contracts: Capacity and Legality

© 2004 West Legal Studies in Business A Division of Thomson Learning 2 §1: Contractual Capacity Contractual Capacity. The legal ability to enter into a contractual relationship. Full competence. No competence. Limited competence. Legality. The agreement must not call for the performance of any act that is criminal, tortious, or otherwise opposed to public policy. Contractual Capacity. The legal ability to enter into a contractual relationship. Full competence. No competence. Limited competence. Legality. The agreement must not call for the performance of any act that is criminal, tortious, or otherwise opposed to public policy.

© 2004 West Legal Studies in Business A Division of Thomson Learning 3 Minors In most states, a person is no longer a minor for contractual purposes at the age 18. A minor can enter into any contract that an adult can. A contract entered into by a minor is voidable at the option of that minor. In most states, a person is no longer a minor for contractual purposes at the age 18. A minor can enter into any contract that an adult can. A contract entered into by a minor is voidable at the option of that minor.

© 2004 West Legal Studies in Business A Division of Thomson Learning 4 Minors Right to Disaffirm A contract can be disaffirmed at any time during minority or for a reasonable period after the minor comes of age. Minor must disaffirm the entire contract. Disaffirmance can be expressed or implied. A contract can be disaffirmed at any time during minority or for a reasonable period after the minor comes of age. Minor must disaffirm the entire contract. Disaffirmance can be expressed or implied.

© 2004 West Legal Studies in Business A Division of Thomson Learning 5 Minors Obligation on Disaffirmance In most states, minor need only return the goods (or other consideration) subject to the contract, provided the goods are in the minors possession or control. In increasing number of states, the minor must restore the adult to the position held before the contract was made. Case 12.1: Dodson v. Shrader (1992). In most states, minor need only return the goods (or other consideration) subject to the contract, provided the goods are in the minors possession or control. In increasing number of states, the minor must restore the adult to the position held before the contract was made. Case 12.1: Dodson v. Shrader (1992).

© 2004 West Legal Studies in Business A Division of Thomson Learning 6 Exceptions to Minors Right to Disaffirm Misrepresentation of Age. Generally, minor can disaffirm the contract. But some states prohibit disaffirmance and hold the minor liable. Contracts for Necessaries. Contracts for food, clothing, shelter may be disaffirmed by minor, who remains liable for the reasonable value of goods or services. Misrepresentation of Age. Generally, minor can disaffirm the contract. But some states prohibit disaffirmance and hold the minor liable. Contracts for Necessaries. Contracts for food, clothing, shelter may be disaffirmed by minor, who remains liable for the reasonable value of goods or services.

© 2004 West Legal Studies in Business A Division of Thomson Learning 7 Exceptions to Minors Right to Disaffirm [2] Insurance. Not viewed as necessaries, so minor can disaffirm contract and recover all premiums paid. Loans. Seldom considered to be necessaries. Exception: Loan to a minor for the express purpose of enabling the minor to purchase necessaries. Insurance. Not viewed as necessaries, so minor can disaffirm contract and recover all premiums paid. Loans. Seldom considered to be necessaries. Exception: Loan to a minor for the express purpose of enabling the minor to purchase necessaries.

© 2004 West Legal Studies in Business A Division of Thomson Learning 8 Ratification Occurs when a minor, on or after reaching majority, indicates (expressly or impliedly) an intention to become bound by a contract made as a minor. Executed v. Executory contracts. Occurs when a minor, on or after reaching majority, indicates (expressly or impliedly) an intention to become bound by a contract made as a minor. Executed v. Executory contracts.

© 2004 West Legal Studies in Business A Division of Thomson Learning 9 Parents Liability Contracts. Parents not liable (This is why parents are usually required to sign any contract made with a minor). Torts (Statutes Vary): Minors are personally liable for their own torts. Liability imposed on parents only for willful acts of their minor children. Liability imposed on parents for their children negligent acts that result from their parents negligence. Contracts. Parents not liable (This is why parents are usually required to sign any contract made with a minor). Torts (Statutes Vary): Minors are personally liable for their own torts. Liability imposed on parents only for willful acts of their minor children. Liability imposed on parents for their children negligent acts that result from their parents negligence.

© 2004 West Legal Studies in Business A Division of Thomson Learning 10 Intoxication Lack of contractual capacity at the time the contract is being made. Contract can be either voidable or valid. Courts look at objective indications to determine if contract is voidable. If voidable: Person has the option to disaffirm, or Person may ratify the contract expressly or impliedly. Lack of contractual capacity at the time the contract is being made. Contract can be either voidable or valid. Courts look at objective indications to determine if contract is voidable. If voidable: Person has the option to disaffirm, or Person may ratify the contract expressly or impliedly.

© 2004 West Legal Studies in Business A Division of Thomson Learning 11 Mentally Incompetent Persons Void. If a person has been adjudged mentally incompetent by a court of law and a guardian has been appointed. Voidable. If the person does not know he or she is entering into the contract or lacks the mental capacity to comprehend its nature, purpose, and consequences. Valid. If person is able to understand the nature and effect of entering into a contract yet lacks capacity to engage in other activities. Lucid Interval. Void. If a person has been adjudged mentally incompetent by a court of law and a guardian has been appointed. Voidable. If the person does not know he or she is entering into the contract or lacks the mental capacity to comprehend its nature, purpose, and consequences. Valid. If person is able to understand the nature and effect of entering into a contract yet lacks capacity to engage in other activities. Lucid Interval.

© 2004 West Legal Studies in Business A Division of Thomson Learning 12 §2: Legality A contract to do something prohibited by federal or state statutory law is illegal and therefore void (never existed). Contract that calls for for a tortious act. Contract that calls for an act contrary to public policy. A contract to do something prohibited by federal or state statutory law is illegal and therefore void (never existed). Contract that calls for for a tortious act. Contract that calls for an act contrary to public policy.

© 2004 West Legal Studies in Business A Division of Thomson Learning 13 Contracts Contrary to Statute Usury. Gambling. Sabbath Laws. Licensing Statutes. Case 12.2: RCDI Construction v. Spaceplan (2001). Contracts to Commit a Crime. Usury. Gambling. Sabbath Laws. Licensing Statutes. Case 12.2: RCDI Construction v. Spaceplan (2001). Contracts to Commit a Crime.

© 2004 West Legal Studies in Business A Division of Thomson Learning 14 Contracts Contrary to Public Policy Contracts contrary to public policy are void. Unconscionable Contracts or Clauses. Procedural or Substantive Unconscionability. Exculpatory Clauses. Discriminatory Contracts. Contracts for the Commission of a Tort. Contracts contrary to public policy are void. Unconscionable Contracts or Clauses. Procedural or Substantive Unconscionability. Exculpatory Clauses. Discriminatory Contracts. Contracts for the Commission of a Tort.

© 2004 West Legal Studies in Business A Division of Thomson Learning 15 Contracts Contrary to Public Policy Contracts in Restraint of Trade Anti-Competitive Agreements are void. Exception: Covenant not to Compete and Sale of Business. Exception: Covenant not to Compete in Employment. Unconscionable Contracts/Clauses. Exculpatory clauses. Case 12.4: Beaver v. Grand Prix Karting (2001). Contracts in Restraint of Trade Anti-Competitive Agreements are void. Exception: Covenant not to Compete and Sale of Business. Exception: Covenant not to Compete in Employment. Unconscionable Contracts/Clauses. Exculpatory clauses. Case 12.4: Beaver v. Grand Prix Karting (2001).

© 2004 West Legal Studies in Business A Division of Thomson Learning 16 Exceptions to the General Rule Justifiable Ignorance of the Facts. Members of Protected Classes. Withdrawal from an Illegal Agreement. Contract Illegal through Fraud, Duress, or Undue Influence. Severable or Divisible Contracts. Justifiable Ignorance of the Facts. Members of Protected Classes. Withdrawal from an Illegal Agreement. Contract Illegal through Fraud, Duress, or Undue Influence. Severable or Divisible Contracts.

© 2004 West Legal Studies in Business A Division of Thomson Learning 17 Law on the Web State laws governing the emancipation of minors. Legal Research Exercises on the Web. State laws governing the emancipation of minors. Legal Research Exercises on the Web.