Contract Law Notes For Judiciary Exams
Contract Law Notes For Judiciary Exams
Contract Law Notes For Judiciary Exams
Test of Objectivity
The test of contractual relations should always be
objective and not subjective. In the objectivity
test, it doesn’t matter what parties intend but
what a reasonable man at the time creating a
contract will think. The court will look at the
perspective of a reasonable man and not the
intent of the parties.
Simpkins v. Pays (1955)
Brief facts
The defendant and his wife were enjoying their
leave in England. But due to some
circumstances, the defendant had to return to
Ceylon and he and his wife had to stay in
England for medical reasons. The defendant
agreed to pay some amount for probable
expenses. With time differences arose and their
relationship soured due to which the husband
stopped sending expenses to his wife. The wife
initiated legal proceedings against her husband
to enforce the agreement.
Order of the Court
The Court held that this agreement was purely
domestic and social and neither of the parties
was legally bound as there were no express
terms to create a legal relationship between the
parties.
But the agreement between husband and wife
does always depend upon the presumption;
sometimes it is rebutted depending on each
case’s facts.
Exceptions
Brief Facts
In Jones v. Padavatton 1969, Padavatton, a
divorced woman, was living in Washington, USA,
with her son. She had a good job as an
accountant in the Indian Embassy. Jones was
Padavatton’s mother who was living in Trinidad
and she wanted her daughter to leave the USA
and be a barrister in England and then return to
Trinidad. Jones promised to pay $200 per month
to her if she comes to Trinidad after becoming a
barrister from England. Padavatton agreed to do
this and Jones paid her bar tuition fees @ £42
per month. Later, Jones proposed to purchase a
house where Padavatton and her son could live
and also let out leftover rooms to derive income
from tenants. But the differences grew between
Jones and Padavatton when she was not able to
complete her legal education within 5 years and
she also remarried during her education. Jones
cut down the allowances and also initiated legal
proceedings against Padavatton to evict her from
the house. The issue before the Court was
whether there was a contract between Jones and
Padavatton allowing possession of the house.
Order of the Court
The Court, in this case, held that this is a family
arrangement that draws its essence from good
faith of the promise which is not made to form a
binding agreement. In the light of the same, it
was held that there was no intention to create a
contractual relationship between the parties.
Exception
Although the agreement between the relatives is
an example of the social agreement in certain
cases it is rebutted on the basis of facts and
circumstances.
Parker v. Clark 1969
Brief Facts
In Parker v. Clark 1969, The Clarks were an
elderly married couple. Mrs. Parker was Mr.
Clark’s niece. Mr. Clark suggested that she and
her husband move in together with them. Mr.
Parker supported the idea but expressed concern
that if they move in, they need to sell their
house. Mr. Clark wrote to Mr. Parker stating that
the Clarks will bequeath their home to Mrs.
Parker, that her daughter, the Parkers, and in
furtherance of the same, they sold the house and
moved in with Clarks. But, after some time this
started falling apart and the Parkers were denied
their share of the house. The Parkers initiated
legal proceedings for breach of contract.
Order of the Court
It was held that since the action of the niece and
her husband were very serious and there was an
intention to create a legal relationship between
the parties. Hence, the Clarks cannot deny the
share to the Parkers.
Commercial agreement
The other presumption is that commercial
agreements are intended to create a legal
relationship between the parties.
It is generally presumed that whenever a
business transaction is involved, there is an
intention to create legal relations between
the parties.
Esso Petroleum v. Commissioners of Customs and
Excise 1976
Brief Facts
In Esso Petroleum v. Commissioners of Customs
and Excise (1976), A promotion campaign was
advertised by Esso Petroleum that a free coin
from the world cup collection coin will be given
on the purchase of four gallons of petrol by any
person. The issue that arose was whether there
was enough quantity of coins produced to be
given in resale and if so whether it will attract
tax liability.
Order of the Court
The Court held that the coins were offered in a
commercial context and thus there was an
intention to create a contractual relationship. In
this case, it was observed that coins were not
given in exchange for money therefore there was
an intention to create contractual relations but
there was no consideration involved.
Exception : Comfort letter
Brief Facts
In this case, Malaysia Mining Corporation Metal
Limited, which was a fully owned subsidiary of
Malaysia Mining Corporation approached the
claimant bank Kleinwort Benso for a loan. Since
Malaysia Mining Corporation Metal Limited was a
new company, the bank approached Malaysia
Mining Corporation (Parent Company) to act as a
guarantor. MMC Bhd refused to be a guarantor
but instead handed a letter of comfort to the
bank in view that MMC Bhd ensures that their
subsidiaries are always in a good position.
Subsequently, MMC metal ran into bankruptcy
and the Bank initiated proceedings against MMC
Bhd to recover the loan based on a comfort
letter.
Order of the Court
The Court held that there is no legal effect of a
comfort letter. It was clear when the MMC Bhd
refused to be a guarantor that they did not
intend to be legally bound.
Conclusion
In various judicial pronouncements, the court
was of the view that there should be an intention
to create a legal relationship between the
parties. This intention can either be presumed or
need to be proven with the help of facts and
circumstances. The position of intention is
different in common law and Indian law. In
common law intended to create a contract is an
essential part to form a binding contract and
consideration in a contract only has an
evidentiary factor. In Indian law, the scenario is
different, in India consideration is considered an
essential part of a contract, and the existence of
consideration proves intention to create legal
relations.
There is a thin line of difference between
commercial contracts and family/social
agreements. Therefore, due to this thin line of
difference, it will be difficult for Indian courts to
determine the existence of an intention to create
legal relations as even in family contracts there
will be an essence of consideration that will
overlook the existence of intention
—-----------------------------
Offer and Acceptance Under
Indian Contract Act, 1872
Introduction
Contracts play an important role in our everyday life ranging from insurance
thinking, for example, while buying a movie ticket or downloading an app. The
government agencies. The whole process of entering into a contract starts with an
consideration (something of value). Let us take a look at the aspect of offer and
acceptance.
Proposal or offer
The entire process of entering into a contract begins with the proposal or
an offer made by one party to another. The proposal must be accepted to
enter into an agreement.
According to the Indian Contract Act 1872, proposal is defined in Section
2(a) as “when one person will signify to another person his willingness to
do or not do something (abstain) with a view to obtain the assent of such
person to such an act or abstinence, he is said to make a proposal or an
offer.”
“offeror”. And the person who accepts an offer is referred to as “promisee” or the
“acceptor”.
The offeror must express his willingness to do or abstain from doing an
act. Only willingness is not adequate. Or just an urge to do something or
not to do anything will not be an offer.
An offer can either be positive or negative. It can be a promise to do some
act, and can also be a promise to abstain from doing any act/service. Both
are valid offers.
person agreeing to it. All the persons are included i.e, Legal persons as well as
artificial persons.
4 of the Indian Contract Act says that the communication of a proposal is complete
Example
‘A’ proposes, to sell a car to ‘B’ at a certain price. Once ‘B’ receives the letter, the
Example
‘A’ invited ‘B’ to dinner and ‘B’ accepted the invitation. It is a mere social invitation.
by any group to whom it is made. Whereas, The general offers are accepted by any
person.
Types of Offer
An offer can be of many types, ranging across the spectrum. There are
Express offer
Implied offer
General offer
Specific Offer
Cross Offer
Counter Offer
Standing Offer
Therefore, any offer that is made with words, it may be regarded as express.
assuming that those services would be free to him, however it was found
that his Farm did not come under that of Upton. The court held that the truth
of the matter is that the Defendant wanted the services of Upton, he asked
for the services of Upton and in response to that they offered their services
In Ramji Dayawala & Sons (p) Ltd v. Invest Import, a case between an
clause in the contract between the parties was made by the Indian party, to
which the other party gave no reply. It was held that this would amount to
an implied acceptance i.e.- the arbitration clause was deleted from the
contract, and a suit would lie in the court of law. Similarly entering into an
General Offer
A General Offer is an offer that is made to the world at large. The genesis of
a General Offer came about from the Landmark case of Carlill v. Carbolic
Smoke Ball Co. A company by the name Carbolic Smoke Ball offered
taking its Medicine according to the prescribed instructions. It was also added
that 1000 Pounds have been deposited in Alliance bank showing our sincerity
in the matter. One customer Mrs Carlill used the medicine and still contracted
Influenza and hence sued the company for the reward. The Defendants gave
the argument that the offer was not made with an intention to enter into a
legally binding agreement, rather was only to Puff the sales of the company.
person, and here the offer was not to any specific person and hence they are
Setting aside the arguments of the Defendant, the bench stated that in cases
by the Defendant in Alliance Bank clearly shows that they intended to create
a legally binding relationship. Hence the Plaintiff was awarded with the
meanwhile, he also announced a reward for anyone finding his nephew, this
This section was applied by YEARS CJ of Allahabad high court in the case of
Har Bhajan Lal v. Har Charan Lal, wherein the father of a young boy who
ran from home issued a pamphlet for a reward for anyone who would find
him. The Plaintiff found him at the railway station and sent a Telegram to his
father. The Court held that the handbill was an offer that was made to the
world at large and anyone who fulfilled the conditions is deemed to have
Works LTD, the Patna HC held that where the acceptance consists of an act,
e.g- dispatching some goods, the rule that there shall be no communication
Specific Offer
A Specific offer is an offer that is made to a specific or ascertained person,
this type of offer can only be accepted by the person to whom it is made.
This concept was seen briefly in the case of Boulton v. Jones, wherein the
Plaintiff had taken the business of one Brocklehurst, the defendant used to
have business with Brocklehurst and not knowing about the change in
ownership of business, sent him an order for certain goods. The Defendant
came to know about the change only after receiving an invoice, at which
point he had already consumed the goods. The Defendant refused to pay the
price, as he had a set off against the original owner, for which the plaintiff
sued him.
The Judges gave a unanimous judgement holding the defendant not liable.
Pollock CB held that the rule of law is clear, if you intend to contract with A,
disadvantage. It was also held that whenever a person makes a contract with
painting a picture or for any personal service or if there is any set off due
from any party, no one has the authority to come in and maintain that he is
Cross Offer
When two parties make an identical offer to each other, in ignorance to each
other’s offer, they are said to make cross offers. Cross offers are not valid
offers. For example- if A makes an offer to sell his car for 7 lakhs to B and B
in ignorance of that makes an offer to buy the same car for 7 Lakhs, they are
said to make a cross offer, and there is no acceptance in this case, hence it
offeree and the offeree without prior knowledge makes the same
offer to the offeror, then both the object and the party remain the
same.
An important case in this aspect is the English case of Tinn v. Hoffman, the
defendant wrote to the complainant an offer to sell him 800 tons of iron at
69s per ton, at the same time the complainant also wrote to the defendant
an offer to buy the iron at similar terms. The issue in this case was that, was
there any contract between the parties, and would simultaneous offers be a
valid acceptance. The court held that these were cross offers that were made
simultaneously without knowledge of one another and would not bind the
parties.
Counter offer
When the offeree offers a qualified acceptance of the offer subject to
example of this would be if A offers B a car for 10 Lakhs, B agrees to buy for
8 Lakhs, this amounts to a counter offer and it would mean a rejection of the
original offer. Later on, if B agrees to buy for 10 Lakhs, A may refuse. Sir
Jenkins CJ in Haji Mohd Haji Jiva v. Spinner, held that any departure from
The Bombay High court gave this decision based upon the landmark
Pounds was rejected by the Plaintiff, who offered 950 for it. Subsequently the
Plaintiff gave an acceptance to the original offer. Holding that the Defendant
was not bound by a contract, the court said that the Plaintiff accepted the
original offer of buying the farm at the price of 1000 pounds, it would have
Partial Acceptance
Counter offer also includes within its contours Partial acceptance, meaning
agreement that favour him and reject the rest, the acceptance should be of
cashier in its new branch. The Company did not comply with this and hence
the suit. The court held that the Petitioners application for shares was
condition on him being made the cashier and that he would have never
shares was made on a conditional undertaking by the bank that the applicant
would be made the director of the new branch. The shares were allotted to
him without fulfilling the condition. The applicant did not say anything and
took his dividends, a subsequent suit by him failed as the court held that he
through his conduct had waived the condition. When a counter proposal is
accepted the contract arises in terms of the counter proposal and not
Standing offer
An Offer which remains open for acceptance over a period of time is called a
standing offer. Tenders that are invited for supply of goods is a kind of
supply of goods. The defendant took the tender in which he had to supply to
this the Defendant didn’t supply for a particular consignment. The Court held
that the Tender was a standing offer that was to be converted into a series of
Council case of Harvey v. Facey, the Plaintiffs in this asked two questions
from the defendant i.e.- Would you sell me your Bumper Hall pen , telegram
me the lowest price? , the Defendant only gave the answer to the latter
question , post which he refused to sell. The Court held that the defendant
was not to sell as he had only answered the second question and reserved
the same for his first question. Thus, this clearly shows the distinction
against this with full consideration was only considered to be an offer, as the
Development authority only gave an invitation to offer, and the offer can only
authority.
Southern Ltd., lord GODDARD CJ, said that it would be wrong to say that a
that the customer makes an offer, to which the shopkeeper has the
discretion to accept or deny. The shopkeeper may say that he doesn’t have
enough stock of that good and therefore may not sell. Similarly, a bankers
catalogue of charges is also not an offer, the auction held by a person is also
only an invitation to offer and he may not be liable for the transportation
costs that people may have to pay to come to the place of auction, in case he
Conclusion
The Indian Contract act doesn’t specifically mention the different types of
offers, but as ours is a common law country, we develop law from the
decisions held by Indian and British courts. As an offer is the first step in the
been made by the offeror, as different types of offers have different types of
The communication of the offer is complete when it comes to the knowledge of the
A proposal can be revoked at any time before the communication of its acceptance
(revoke) his offer at an auction sale before being accepted by any auctioneer using
Example
‘A’ agreed to sell the property to ‘B’ by a written document which stated “this offer
to be left over until Friday 9 AM”. on Thursday ‘A’ made a contract to sell the
property to ‘C’. ‘B’ heard of this from ‘X’ and on Friday 7 AM he delivered to ‘A’
acceptance of his offer. Held ‘B’ could not accept A’s offer after he knew it had been
Acceptance
The Indian Contract Act 1872 defines acceptance in Section 2 (b) as “When the
person to whom the proposal is made signifies his assent thereto, the offer is said
to be accepted. Thus the proposal when accepted becomes a promise.” An offer can
to whom the request is made, it will amount to acceptance. When the offer is
Types of Acceptance
Expressed Acceptance
If the acceptance is written or oral, it becomes an Expressed Acceptance.
Example
‘A’ offers to sell his phone to ‘B’ over an email. ‘B’ respond to that email saying he
Implied Acceptance
If the acceptance is shown by conduct, It thus becomes an Implied acceptance.
Example
The Arts Museum holds an auction to sell a historical book to collect charity funds.
In the media, they advertise the same. This says that a Mere Invitation to an Offer
Express Offer, but by striking the hammer thrice the final call is made by the
Conditional Acceptance
A conditional acceptance also referred to as an eligible acceptance, occurs when a
person to whom an offer has been made tells the offeror that he or she is willing to
accept the offer provided that certain changes are made to the condition of the
offer. This form of acceptance operates as a counter-offer. The original offeror must
to ‘B’ for Rs 2 lakh, ‘B’ can’t come back and says that she accepts the offer but will
an implied manner.
Therefore, the offer defines a time limit. If it does not, it should not be
acknowledged forever.
confused with acceptance. But, there is an exception to this rule. It is stated that,
within 3 weeks of the date on which the offer is made, the non-acceptance shall be
acceptance.
transmission to him as to be out of the power of the acceptor to withdraw the same
come into being when the acceptance of an offer has been told to the offeror by the
offeree.
The communication of the offer shall be complete when it comes to the knowledge
of the person to whom the offer is made and the communication of the acceptance
offeror. Therefore, offer and acceptance are the essential elements of a contract
and in either case, it should be done on the basis of one’s free will and with the
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Acceptance in contract
Felthouse v Bindley [1862] EWHC CP J35, is the
leading English contract law case on the rule that one
cannot impose an obligation on another to reject one's
offer. This is sometimes misleadingly expressed as a
rule that "silence cannot amount to acceptance"
Paul Felthouse was a builder who lived in London. He wanted to buy a horse from his nephew,
John Felthouse. After a letter from the nephew concerning a discussion about buying the horse,
the uncle replied saying
"If I hear no more about him, I consider the horse mine at £30.15s."
The nephew did not reply. He was busy at auctions on his farm in Tamworth. He told the man
running the auctions, William Bindley, not to sell the horse. But by accident, Bindley did. Uncle
Felthouse then sued Bindley in the tort of conversion - using someone else's property
inconsistently with their rights. But for the Uncle to show the horse was his property, he had to
show there was a valid contract. Bindley argued there was not, since the nephew had never
communicated his acceptance of the uncle's offer.
Where consideration is defined
Consideration is defined in 2D
where it is mentioned that only those agreements will
be contract which a considerable enforceable by law
it is in section 10
10. What agreements are contracts.—All agreements
are contracts if they are made by the free consent of
parties competent to contract, for a lawful consideration
and with a lawful object, and are not hereby expressly
declared to be void. Nothing herein contained shall
affect any law in force in 1 [India] and not hereby
expressly repealed by the A.O. 1950, for “the
Provinces”. 13 by which any contract is required to be
made in writing1 or in the presence of witnesses, or any
law relating to the registration of documents
where lawful consideration is defined
lawful consideration is defined in Section 23
23. What considerations and objects are lawful, and
what not.—The consideration or object of an agreement
is lawful, unless— it is forbidden by law4 ; or is of such a
nature that, if permitted, it would defeat the provisions of
any law; or is fraudulent ; or involves or implies, injury to
the person or property of another; or the Court regards it
as immoral, or opposed to public policy. In each of these
cases, the consideration or object of an agreement is
said to be unlawful. Every agreement of which the object
or consideration is unlawful is void.
Illustrations (a) A agrees to sell his house to B for 10,000 rupees. Here B‟s promise
to pay the sum of 10,000 rupees is the consideration for A‟s promise to sell the
house, and A‟s promise to sell the house is the consideration for B‟s promise to pay
the 10,000 rupees. These are lawful considerations. 1. The original words „British
India” have successively been amended by the A.O. 1948 and the A.O. 1950 to read
as above. 2. Paragraph 2, ins. by the A.O. 1937, and as amended by the A. O. 1948
was Rep. by the A. O. 1950. 3. The second Illustration to s. 21 rep. by Act 24 of
1917, s. 3 and Sch. II. 4. See ss. 26, 27, 28 and 30, infra. 17 (b) A promises to pay B
1,000 rupees at the end of six months, if C, who owes that sum to B, fails to pay it. B
promises to grant time to C accordingly. Here, the promise of each party is the
consideration for the promise of the other party, and they are lawful considerations.
(c) A promises, for a certain sum paid to him by B, to make good to B the value of his
ship if it is wrecked on a certain voyage. Here, A‟s promise is the consideration for
B‟s payment and B‟s payment is the consideration for A‟s promise, and these are
lawful considerations. (d) A promises to maintain B‟s child, and B promises to pay A
1,000 rupees yearly for the purpose. Here, the promise of each party is the
consideration for the promise of the other party. They are lawful considerations. (e)
A, B and C enter into an agreement for the division among them of gains acquired or
to be acquired, by them by fraud. The agreement is void, as its object is unlawful. (f)
A promises to obtain for B an employment in the public service and B promises to
pay 1,000 rupees to A. The agreement is void, as the consideration for it is unlawful.
(g) A, being agent for a landed proprietor, agrees for money, without the knowledge
of his principal, to obtain for B a lease of land belonging to his principal. The
agreement between A and B is void. as it implies a fraud by concealment, by A, on
his principal. (h) A promises B to drop a prosecution which he has instituted against
B for robbery, and B promises to restore the value of the things taken. The
agreement is void, as its object is unlawful. (i) A‟s estate is sold for arrears of
revenue under the provisions of an Act of the Legislature, by which the defaulter is
prohibited from purchasing the estate. B, upon an understanding with A, becomes
the purchaser, and agrees to convey the estate to A upon receiving from him the
price which B has paid. The agreement is void, as it renders the transaction, in
effect, a purchase by the defaulter, and would so defeat the object of the law. (j) A,
who is B‟s mukhtar, promises to exercise his influence, as such, with B in favour of
C, and C promises to pay 1,000 rupees to A. The agreement is void, because it is
immoral. (k) A agrees to let her daughter to hire to B for concubinage. The
agreement is void, because it is immoral, though the letting may not be punishable
under the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860).
Mr Merritt and his wife jointly owned a house. Mr Merritt left to live with
another woman. They made an agreement (signed) that Mr Merritt would
pay Mrs Merritt a £40 monthly sum, and eventually transfer the house to
her, if Mrs Merritt kept up the monthly mortgage payments. When the
mortgage was paid Mr Merritt refused to transfer the house.
Parker v Clark [1960] 1 WLR 286 is an English contract law case concerning reliance
and creation of legal relations in a social type of agreement.
The Clarks, an elderly couple, invited their niece and her husband, the Parkers to live with them.
The Parkers said they would like to, but it would mean they would have to sell their own house.
The Clarks assured the Parkers that in doing so they would leave a share of the clark house to
Mrs Parker, and her daughter, in their will. The Parkers sold their house, lent the balance of the
money to their daughter who in turn bought a flat. Then the Parkers moved in. But they fell out.
The Clarks asked them to leave, and the Parkers sued for breach of contract.
Devlin J held that the Clarks were liable for damages to the Parkers given that the Parkers had
relied to their detriment on the assurance of the Clarks that they would have a place to stay.
—------------------------------
Section number 25
where it is mentioned that without consideration agreement will be void?
it is in section 25.
At trial, the judge of the first instance, found in favour of Dunlop. At appeal the damages and
injunction were reversed, saying that Selfridge was not a principal or an agent and thus was not
bound.
Purity of contract was accepted in India in
Jamna Das v/s Pandit Ram Autar Pande (1911)
[1] This is a perfectly plain case. The action is brought by a mortgagee to enforce
against a purchaser of the mortgaged property an undertaking that he entered into
with his vendor. The mortgagee has no right to avail himself of that. He was no party
to the sale. The purchaser entered into no contract with him, and the purchaser is
not personally bound to pay this mortgage debt. Therefore, he is not a person from
whom, in the words of the 90th section of the Transfer of Property Act, u the balance
is legally recoverable.
—---------------------------
But purity of consideration is not acceptable in India.
There are some exceptions to the privity principle and these include contracts
involving trusts, insurance companies, agent-principal contracts, and cases
involving negligence.
M.C. Chacko Vs. The State Bank of Travancore, Trivandrum
The High Land Bank Kottayam of which the appellant M.C. Chacko was the Manager,
had an overdraft account with Kottayam Bank. K.C. Chacko, the father of the
pay amounts due by High Land Bank under the overdraft arrangement. Kottayam
Bank filed a suit against High Land Bank for the recovery of the amount due in
account. To this suit were also impleaded K.C. Chacko, M.C. Chacko and the son,
daughter and wife of K.C. Chacko. However, the trial court only decreed the suit
against High Land Bank and against M.C. Chacko, received by him from his father
under the deed date June 21st, 1951. K.C. Chacko died during the course of the
proceedings. The court held that Kottayam Bank not being a party to the deed was
not bound by the covenants in the deed nor could it enforce the covenants. A person
enforce the terms of the contract. Except in the case of beneficiary under a trust
the immovable property and designated the plaintiff as the sole beneficiary
under it, therefore even if she is not a party to the contract she is qualified
to proceed with the legal actions for enforcement of her claim. Additionally,
the charge created by the defendant which tied him to make regular
payments, and the contract which was executed did not provide any
reference to the condition that such payment would be rendered only if she
resides with her husband at her matrimonial home. The only time provided
Trust:
This is the most common exception to the doctrine of privity
of contract. If a contract is made between the trustee of a
trust and another party, then the beneficiary of the trust can
sue by enforcing his right under the trust, even if he is a
stranger to the contract.
The intention to benefit the third party must be irrevocable
and a mere intention to confer a benefit is not enough, there
must be an intention to create a trust. An intention to create
a trust is clearly distinguishable from a mere intention to
make a gift.
In Rana Uma Nath Baksh Singh v. Jang Bahadur A.I.R.
(1938) P.C. 245 case, Uma Nath Baksh Singh was appointed
by his father as his successor and was put in possession of his
entire estate. In consideration, thereof Uma Nath Baksh
Singh agreed with his father to pay a certain sum on money
and to give a village to Jang Bahadur, the illegitimate son of
his father, on his attaining majority. On attaining majority
Jang Bahadur asked for the proceedings of contract. Uma
Nath Baksh Singh rejected the same and contend that Jang
Bahadur is not the party to the contract. The Court held
that in the circumstances mentioned above a trust was
created between Uma Nath Baksh Singh and his father in
favour of Jang Bahadur for the specified amount and the
village, Hence Uma Nath Baksh Singh was entitled to
maintain the suit.
In Khwaja Muhammad Khan v Hussaini Begum (1910) 37
IA 152 case, there was an agreement between the father and
father-in-law of ‘A’ that in consideration of her marriage
with his son, he would pay to her Rs.500 per month for the
betel-leaf expenses and some immovable property was
charged for the payment of these expenses. A filed a suit for
recovery of arrears. The Court held that although she was
not a party to the agreement, she was entitled to enforce her
claim being the beneficiary.
Acknowledgment or Estoppel:
If a contract requires that a party pays a certain amount to a
third-party and he/she acknowledges it, then it becomes a
binding obligation for the party to pay the third-party. The
acknowledgment can also be implied
Example: A gives Rs 1,000 to B to pay C. B acknowledges
the receipt of funds to be paid to C. However, B fails to pay
C. Now C can sue B for recovery of the amount.
Example: A sold his house to B. A real estate broker, C,
facilitated the deal. Out of the sale price, C was to be paid Rs
25,000 as his professional charges. B promised to pay C the
amount before taking possession of the property. B made
three payments of Rs 5,000 each and then stopped paying
him. C filed a suit against B which was held by the Court
because B had acknowledged her liability by conduct.
In N. devaraja urs v. Ramkrishnah AIR 1952 Mys 109 case,
A sold his house to B under a registered sale deed and left
part of the sale price in his hands desiring him to pay this
amount to C, his creditor. Subsequently, B made part
payments to C informing that they were out of the sale price
left with him and that balance would be remitted
immediately. Subsequently, B failed to remit the balance
amount and C sued him for the same. The court held that
the sit is maintainable in the Court. Actually, there is no
privity contract between B and C initially, but by paying
some amount and explaining it to C, B has acknowledged his
liability towards C. Hence C is entitled to sue B for the
recovery of the amount.
In similar case Kshirodebihari Datta V. Mangobinda Panda
(1934) I.L.R. 61 Cal. 841, The court held that B has
acknowledged his liability towards C by his conduct. C is
entitled to sue B for the recovery of the amount.
There is a clear threat involved and the person being There is no outward sign on undue
coerced knows it. influence and the person being
influenced may not realize it.
17. “Fraud” defined.—“Fraud” means and includes any of the
following acts committed by a party to a contract, or with his
connivance, or by his agent1 , with intent to deceive another party
thereto of his agent, or to induce him to enter into the contract:—
(1) the suggestion, as a fact, of that which is not true, by one who does not believe it to
be true;
(2) the active concealment of a fact by one having knowledge or belief of the fact;
(3) a promise made without any intention of performing it;
(4) any other act fitted to deceive;
(5) any such act or omission as the law specially declares to be fraudulent.
Explanation.—Mere silence as to facts likely to affect the
willingness of a person to enter into a contract is not fraud, unless
the circumstances of the case are such that, regard being had to
them, it is the duty of the person keeping silence to speak2 , or
unless his silence is, in itself, equivalent to speech.
Illustrations (a) A sells, by auction, to B, a horse which A knows to be unsound. A says
nothing to B about the horse‟s unsoundness. This is not fraud in A. (b) B is A‟s daughter and
has just come of age. Here, the relation between the parties would make it A‟s duty to tell B
if the horse is unsound. (c) B says to A—“If you do not deny it, I shall assume that the horse
is sound.” A says nothing. Here, A‟s silence is equivalent to speech. (d) A and B, being
traders, enter upon a contract. A has private information of a change in prices which would
affect B‟s willingness to proceed with the contract. A is not bound to inform B
In the case of SHRI KRISHAN vs. KURUKSHETRA UNIVERSITY
the Supreme Court held that there was no fraud since the candidate kept
silent as to certain facts and that the university authorities could have
discovered the truth with ordinary diligence.
In the above mentioned case where a student kept silent with respect to the
shortage of his attendance which would make him ineligible to appear for
the university exams, it was held that mere silence does not amount to
fraud.
ESSENTIAL OF FRAUD :
a.There should be a statement of fact which is not true,
b.The person who makes a false statement should have the knowledge of it
being untrue,
c.The person who makes such a false statement must have the intention to
deceive the other/aggrieved party to induce the aggrieved person to enter
into such a contract.
BURDEN OF PROOF:
The burden of proof lies on the party taking the defense of fraud. As, in the
above mentioned example B has to prove that he had enter into such an
agreement only because A has willfully concealed the information relating
to the prices.
EFFECTS OF FRAUD ON A CONTRACT:
Any agreement that has been obtained by fraud is voidable at the option of
party so aggrieved. The aggrieved party will decide whether to perform the
contract or to void the contract. Also, if any monetary amount has been
paid under such a contract has to be returned/ repaid once the contract
becomes void.
REMEDIES FOR FRAUD:
As it is mentioned above that if parties have entered in to a contract by
virtue of fraud then such a contract is voidable the option of the aggrieved
party. Remedies for such a misrepresentation are:
1.Annul:
Annul means to rescind/terminate. If the aggrieved party wants he can
cancel the contract and or can also claim for damages. Rescission is the
unwinding of a transaction. Such an option is given to the aggrieved party
to bring the parties back to the same position in which they were before
they entered into a contract i.e. by maintaining a status quo.
—--------
In Ward v. Hobbes (1878) , the House of Lords held that if a seller uses artifice
or disguise to conceal the defects in the product which is to be sold, it would amount
to fraud on the buyer; still no duty to disclose the defects in the product is imposed
on the seller by the doctrine of caveat emptor.
—----------
In Akhtar Jahan Begam vs. Hazarilal, A sold some property to B stating in the sale
deed that he won't be liable to B if he suffered any loss owing to A's defective title. A
had, earlier to this transaction, sold this property to somebody else, but didn't inform
B about it.
—------
Derry v Peek established a 3-part test for fraudulent misrepresentation, whereby
the defendant is fraudulent if he: (i) knows the statement to be false, or. (ii) does not
believe in the statement, or. (iii) is reckless as to its truth.
---
18. “Misrepresentation” defined.—“Misrepresentation” means
and includes— (1) the positive assertion, in a manner not
warranted by the information of the person making it, of that
which is not true, though he believes it to be true;
(2) any breach of duty which, without an intent to deceive,
gains an advantage to the person committing it, or any one
claiming under him; by misleading another to his prejudice, or
to the prejudice of any one claiming under him; (3) causing,
however innocently, a party to an agreement, to make a
mistake as to the substance of the thing which is the subject of
the agreement.
Note: All Insurance are considered contingent and all related issues covered under section 31
except Life insurance
fraud is in section 17 and misrepresentation is in section 18, the difference between fraud and
misrepresentation is that a person committing fraud knows about the truth and he is not
innocent while in misrepresentation in section of 18 a person may be innocent and not know
the facts but still he is liable for the action. In tort fraud is considered a liability while there is
no option of misrepresentation in torts.
10 ml is that both fraud and misrepresentation is liable is liable under section 19 and profit
which is gained either under section 17 or section 18 need to be returned and section put a 64
becomes applicable that says that if you have gained any profit by fraud or misrepresentation
you have to return it. and under section 65 if the agreement is void and section 64 it is if the
agreement is voidable it has to be returned.
—---------------
If in a contract there are two parties and both are on mistake then the contract will be void
and if only one party is on mistake then the contract will be valid.
If the mistake is of law it will be considered like a mistake of fact and And section 20 and 22
shall apply.
—----- Question it is asked that mistake of fact is in quation 20, 21
then it is in 20
Mistake of law in Section 21
mistake of both parties in section 20
Mistakes of single party in a section 22
Agreement shall be void in section 20 and shall remain valid in section 22
20. Agreement void where both parties are under mistake as to matter
of fact.—Where both the parties to an agreement are under a mistake
as to a matter of fact essential to the agreement, the agreement is void.
Explanation.—An erroneous opinion as to the value of the thing
which forms the subject-matter of the agreement, is not to be deemed
a mistake as to a matter of fact.
Illustrations (a) A agrees to sell to B a specific cargo of goods supposed to be on its way from
England to Bombay. It turns out that, before the day of the bargain, the ship conveying the
cargo had been cast away and the goods lost. Neither party was aware of the these facts. The
agreement is void. (b) A agrees to buy from B a certain horse. It turns out that the horse was
dead at the time of bargain, though neither party was aware of the fact. The agreement is
void. (c) A, being entitled to an estate for the life of B, agrees to sell it to C. B was dead at the
time of the agreement, but both parties were ignorant of the fact. The agreement is void.
21. Effect of mistakes as to law.—A contract is not voidable because
it was caused by a mistake as to any law in force in 1 [India]; but a
mistake as to a law not in force in 1 [India] has the same effect as a
mistake of fact. 2 * * * * * Illustration A and B make a contract
grounded on the erroneous belief that a particular debt is barred by the
Indian Law of Limitation; the contract is not voidable. 3 * * * * *
22. Contract caused by mistake of one party as to matter of fact.—A
contract is not voidable merely because it was caused by one of the
parties to it being under a mistake as to a matter of fact.
23. What considerations and objects are lawful, and what not.—The
consideration or object of an agreement is lawful, unless— it is
forbidden by law4 ; or is of such a nature that, if permitted, it would
defeat the provisions of any law; or is fraudulent ; or involves or
implies, injury to the person or property of another; or the Court
regards it as immoral, or opposed to public policy. In each of these
cases, the consideration or object of an agreement is said to be
unlawful. Every agreement of which the object or consideration is
unlawful is void. Illustrations (a) A agrees to sell his house to B for
10,000 rupees. Here B‟s promise to pay the sum of 10,000 rupees is
the consideration for A‟s promise to sell the house, and A‟s promise
to sell the house is the consideration for B‟s promise to pay the
10,000 rupees. These are lawful considerations.
(b) A promises to pay B 1,000 rupees at the end of six months, if C,
who owes that sum to B, fails to pay it. B promises to grant time to C
accordingly. Here, the promise of each party is the consideration for
the promise of the other party, and they are lawful considerations. (c)
A promises, for a certain sum paid to him by B, to make good to B the
value of his ship if it is wrecked on a certain voyage. Here, A‟s
promise is the consideration for B‟s payment and B‟s payment is the
consideration for A‟s promise, and these are lawful considerations.
(d) A promises to maintain B‟s child, and B promises to pay A 1,000
rupees yearly for the purpose. Here, the promise of each party is the
consideration for the promise of the other party. They are lawful
considerations. (e) A, B and C enter into an agreement for the division
among them of gains acquired or to be acquired, by them by fraud.
The agreement is void, as its object is unlawful. (f) A promises to
obtain for B an employment in the public service and B promises to
pay 1,000 rupees to A. The agreement is void, as the consideration for
it is unlawful. (g) A, being agent for a landed proprietor, agrees for
money, without the knowledge of his principal, to obtain for B a lease
of land belonging to his principal. The agreement between A and B is
void. as it implies a fraud by concealment, by A, on his principal. (h)
A promises B to drop a prosecution which he has instituted against B
for robbery, and B promises to restore the value of the things taken.
The agreement is void, as its object is unlawful. (i) A‟s estate is sold
for arrears of revenue under the provisions of an Act of the
Legislature, by which the defaulter is prohibited from purchasing the
estate. B, upon an understanding with A, becomes the purchaser, and
agrees to convey the estate to A upon receiving from him the price
which B has paid. The agreement is void, as it renders the transaction,
in effect, a purchase by the defaulter, and would so defeat the object
of the law. (j) A, who is B‟s mukhtar, promises to exercise his
influence, as such, with B in favour of C, and C promises to pay 1,000
rupees to A. The agreement is void, because it is immoral. (k) A
agrees to let her daughter to hire to B for concubinage. The agreement
is void, because it is immoral, though the letting may not be
punishable under the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860).
Void agreements 24. Agreement void, if considerations and objects
unlawful in part.—If any part of a single consideration for one or
more objects, or any one or any part of any one of several
considerations for a single object, is unlawful, the agreement is void.
Illustration A promises to superintend, on behalf of B, a legal
manufacture of indigo, and an illegal traffic in other articles. B
promises to pay to A a salary of 10,000 rupees a year. The agreement
is void, the object of A‟s promise, and the consideration for B‟s
promise, being in part unlawful.
25. Agreement without consideration, void, unless it is in writing and
registered or is a promise to compensate for something done or is a
promise to pay a debt barred by limitation law.—An agreement made
without consideration is void, unless— (1) it is expressed in writing
and registered under the law for the time being in force for the
registration of 1 [documents], and is made on account of natural love
and affection between parties standing in a near relation to each
other ; or unless (2) it is a promise to compensate, wholly or in part, a
person who has already voluntarily done something for the promisor,
or something which the promisor was legally compellable to do; or
unless; (3) it is a promise, made in writing and signed by the person to
be charged therewith, or by his agent generally or specially authorized
in that behalf, to pay wholly or in part a debt of which the creditor
might have enforced payment but for the law for the limitation of
suits. In any of these cases, such an agreement is a contract.
Explanation 1.—Nothing in this section shall affect the validity, as
between the donor and donee, of any gift actually made
Explanation 2.—An agreement to which the consent of the promisor
is freely given is not void merely because the consideration is
inadequate; but the inadequacy of the consideration may be taken into
account by the Court in determining the question whether the consent
of the promisor was freely given. Illustrations (a) A promises, for no
consideration, to give to B Rs. 1,000. This is a void agreement. (b) A,
for natural love and affection, promises to give his son, B, Rs. 1,000.
A puts his promise to B into writing and registers it. This is a contract.
(c) A finds B‟s purse and gives it to him. B promises to give A Rs.
50. This is a contract. (d) A supports B‟s infant son. B promises to
pay A‟s expenses in so doing. This is a contract. (e) A owes B Rs.
1,000, but the debt is barred by the Limitation Act. A signs a written
promise to pay B Rs. 500 on account of the debt. This is a contract. (f)
A agrees to sell a horse worth Rs. 1,000 for Rs. 10. A‟s consent to the
agreement was freely given. The agreement is a contract
notwithstanding the inadequacy of the consideration. (g) A agrees to
sell a horse worth Rs. 1,000 for Rs. 10. A denies that his consent to
the agreement was freely given. The inadequacy of the consideration
is a fact which the Court should take into account in considering
whether or not A‟s consent was freely given.
26. Agreement in restraint of marriage, void.—Every agreement in
restraint of the marriage of any person, other than a minor, is void.
Marriage is a fundamental right.
The case of Lata Singh v. State of Uttar Pradesh & Anr is a
landmark judgment that has clarified the validity of inter-caste
marriages. It can be observed from the court’s decision that any
person who is a major has a right to choose the partner of their
choice. It can be further considered to be a part of Article 21 of the
Indian Constitution. The act of violence caused by the family members
due to the inter-caste or different religion marriage is considered to be
a barbaric practice which is unjust as it would be a curtailment of the
fundamental right of a person because of some people’s feudal
mindsets.
Shakti Vahini v Union of India & ors that any attempt by Khap
Panchayats or any other assembly to scuttle or prevent two consenting adults from
marrying is absolutely 'illegal' and laid down preventive, remedial and punitive
measures in this regard.
27. Agreement in restraint of trade, void.—Every agreement by which
any one is restrained from exercising a lawful profession, trade or
business of any kind, is to that extent void. Exception 1.—Saving of
agreement not to carry on business of which good-will is sold.—One
who sells the good-will of a business may agree with the buyer to
refrain from carrying on a similar business, within specified local
limits, so long as the buyer, or any person deriving title to the good-
will from him, carries on a like business therein, provided that such
limits appear to the Court reasonable, regard being had to the nature
of the business.
Agreement to restrain trade can be valid in section 36 clause 2 in
partnership act. Under section 36 also a provision today's train a
person from trade is there has been a trust or Foundation why he
walks and under section 54 also a person can be restrained from work
and by court also My coat also some conditions are accepted as a
person like service act or service agreement not to work anywhere
else for and to work only at their companies for 2-3 of all five years as
think it.
Sometimes they are social agreements or commercial agreement as
well as one will purchase goods from a particular company.
Bed in section 27 there is only one exception of good–will and all the
other exceptions are under Partnership Act.
28. Agreements in restraint of legal proceedings, void.—2 [Every
agreement,— (a) by which any party thereto is restricted absolutely
from enforcing his rights under or in respect of any contract, by the
usual legal proceedings in the ordinary tribunals, or which limits the
time within which he may thus enforce his rights; or (b) which
extinguishes the rights of any party thereto, or discharges any party
thereto, from any liability, under or in respect of any contract on the
expiry of a specified period so as to restrict any party from enforcing
his rights, is void to the extent.] Exception 1.—Saving of contract to
refer to arbitration dispute that may arise.—This section shall not
render illegal a contract, by which two or more persons agree that any
dispute which may arise between them in respect of any subject or
class of subjects shall be referred to arbitration, and that only the
amount awarded in such arbitration shall be recoverable in respect of
the dispute so referred. 3 * * * * * Exception 2.—Saving of contract
to refer questions that have already arisen.—Nor shall this section
render illegal any contract in writing, by which two or more persons
agree to refer to arbitration any question between them which has
already arisen, or affect any provision of any law in force for the time
being as to references to arbitration.
1 [Exception 3.—Saving of a guarantee agreement of a bank or a
financial institution.—This section shall not render illegal a contract
in writing by which any bank or financial institution stipulate a term
in a guarantee or any agreement making a provision for guarantee for
extinguishment of the rights or discharge of any party thereto from
any liability under or in respect of such guarantee or agreement on the
expiry of a specified period which is not less than one year from the
date of occurring or non-occurring of a specified event for
extinguishment or discharge of such party from the said liability.
Explanation.—(i) In Exception 3, the expression “bank” means— (a)
a “banking company” as defined in clause (c) of section 5 of the
Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (10 of 1949); (b) “a corresponding new
bank” as defined in clause (da) of section 5 of the Banking Regulation
Act, 1949 (10 of 1949); (c) “State Bank of India” constituted under
section 3 of the State Bank of India Act, 1955 (23 of 1955); (d) “a
subsidiary bank” as defined in clause (k) of section 2 of the State
Bank of India (Subsidiary Banks) Act, 1959 (38 of 1959); (e) “a
Regional Rural Bank” established under section 3 of the Regional
Rural Banks Act, 1976 (21 of 1976); (f) “a Co-operative Bank” as
defined in clause (cci) of section 5 of the Banking Regulation Act,
1949 (10 of 1949); (g) “a multi-State co-operative bank” as defined in
clause (cciiia) of section 5 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (10 of
1949); and (ii) In Exception 3, the expression “a financial institution”
means any public financial institution within the meaning of section
4A of the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956).]
29. Agreements void for uncertainty.—Agreements, the meaning of
which is not certain, or capable of being made certain, are void.
Illustrations (a) A agrees to sell to B “a hundred tons of oil”. There is nothing whatever to show what
kind of oil was intended. The agreement is void for uncertainty. (b) A agrees to sell to B one hundred
tons of oil of a specified description, known as an article of commerce. There is no uncertainty here to
make the agreement void. (c) A, who is a dealer in cocoanut-oil only, agrees to sell to B “one hundred
tons of oil”. The nature of A‟s trade affords an indication of the meaning of the words, and A has
entered into a contract for the sale of one hundred tons of cocoanut-oil. (d) A agrees to sell to B “all
the grain in my granary at Ramnagar”. There is no uncertainty here to make the agreement void. (e) A
agrees to sell B “one thousand maunds of rice at a price to be fixed by C”. As the price is capable of
being made certain, there is no uncertainty here to make the agreement void. (f) A agrees to sell to B
“my white horse for rupees five hundred or rupees one thousand”. There is nothing to show which of
the two prices was to be given. The agreement is void.
Evidence Act section 93, 94 patent ambiguity and 95, 96, 97, 98 latent ambiguity
30. Agreements by way of wager void.—Agreements by way of wager are void; and no suit shall be
brought for recovering anything alleged to be won on any wager, or entrusted to any person to abide
the result of any game or other uncertain event on which any wager is made.
Exception in favour of certain prizes for horse-racing.—This section shall not be deemed to render
unlawful a subscription or contribution, or agreement to subscribe or contribute, made or entered into
for or toward any plate, prize or sum of money, of the value or amount of five hundred rupees or
upwards, to be awarded to the winner or winners of any horse-race. Section 294A of the Indian Penal
Code not affected.—Nothing in this section shall be deemed to legalize any transaction connected
with horse-racing, to which the provisions of section 294A of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860)
apply.
Which contract can be performed is mentioned in Specific Relief Act Section 10,
11, 12, and 13
The contract which cannot be performed is mentioned in section 14 of Specific
Relief
The Appeal shall be under Section 15 and and it shall be dealt under section 19
of Specific Relief