1 Law of Contract

Unit: 3
Law of Contract
1
N Kiran Kumar
Asst. Professor
Department of Management Studies
Nitte Meenakshi Institute of Technology
Yelahanka, Bangalore – 560 064.
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Introduction to Law
2
 Man is a social animal. He cannot live in isolation. He has a number of

wants and seeks to satisfy them in association with his fellow men.
Although he may find that through co-operation it is easier for him to
make a living and a better living too, his interests are bond to conflict
with those of the other members of the society. Therefore, man shows
his inclination to subject himself, consciously or unconsciously, to
some form of control. Law has thus been one of the most effective
instruments of control from the earliest times, and as such, law is as
old as mankind.
 In short, law is a rule of human conduct devised by the legislature and
enforced by the judiciary. Rule of law is an absolute necessity for the
sustenance of any society, since the rights and responsibility of its
member, as well as its governance cannot be determined and
streamlined without a proper system of laws.
 In its widest sense, the term law is used to mean any rule of action,
standard or pattern to which actions are required to conform. In the
narrow or popular sense law is applied to the rules of human behavior
recognized and enforced by the state through its courts.
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Introduction to Law Contd..
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 Gray has defined law as “the state or of any

recognized body of men composed of the rules
which the courts – that is, the judicial organs of
that body – lay down for the determination of legal
rights and duties.”
 In short, the features of law are
 It is a set pattern, and
 The fear of consequences force everyone to observe the
same.
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 (1) Knowledge of law: It is not possible for a person to

know all the laws of his own country, but he will not be
excused on the ground of ignorance of law. The maxim in this
regard is “ignorantia juris non excusat” – that is,
ignorance of law is not excused. It is therefore, essential for
every one to know the general principles of the law of his own
country, and more particularly those branches of law which
apply to his particular branch of work.
 (2) Business Law: Also known as commercial law or
mercantile law, includes a body of legal rules which relates to
the conduct of business. Slater explained the term mercantile
law as “the phrase mercantile law or commercial law is
generally used to denote those portions of the law which deal
with the rights and obligations arising out of transactions
between mercantile persons.” An individual, a partnership, or
a company carrying on business is a mercantile person.
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 (3) Sources of Mercantile Law: The Indian

Mercantile law is adapted from the English law.
However, there are reservations and modifications are
made to accommodate the peculiar conditions
prevailing in India. To ascertain the sources of India
mercantile law, we have to trace the sources of English
mercantile law. The sources of English mercantile law
are the following:
 (1) The common law
 (2) Equity
 (3) The law merchant
 (4) The statute law, and
 (5) Case law
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 (1) The Common Law: Customs and usages which were evolved, recognized and
adopted as rules of conduct by the English community acquired the name common
law, and when they became common over a wide area, they became legal principles of
law. It is traditional, unwritten law, developed in English courts during a span of
about 500 years, between the period of 13th and the 18th century and brought to our
country by the British rulers of India.
 (2) Equity: When the common law became rigid, the suitors could not get adequate
relief, since the only remedy under the common law was money compensation. The
dissatisfied suitors began to present petitions to the king who passed them on to the
heard by the chancellor, who was regarded as the keeper of the King’s conscience.
The chancellor began to sit as a separate court known as the Court of Chancery,
and granted relief based on notions of justice, equity and good conscience. The reliefs
granted by the court of Chancery came to be known as equitable remedies, as
contrasted with the common law remedy.
 (3) The Law of Merchant: The Law merchant was an independent body of
customs and usages governing commercial transactions of the merchants and traders
of the middle ages, which have been ratified by the decisions of the courts of law. The
common law of England became fixed at a time when little or no attention was paid
to trading. Hence among traders there sprung up a number of customs and usages
which were necessary for the conduct of business. During this period, the body of
commercial usages was practically uniform throughout Europe. In its earliest stages,
therefore, the law merchant was a kind of private international law administered by
tribunals constituting principally of the merchants themselves.
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 (4) The Stature Law: The stature law means Acts of Parliament. These are the
most efficient and the most usual way of bringing about changes in the law today
also. The authority of the Parliament is supreme and subject to natural limitations
and those laid down by the constitution. It can pass any law it pleases, and is not
bound by its previous Acts. It is also within the power of the parliament to nullify
the decisions of the courts of law. The statute law, therefore ranks in priority to
common law and equity.
 (5) Case Law: Judicial decision is a distinguishing feature of the English law,
because a substantial potion of the common law is the product of decided cases,
built up on previous judicial decisions, that is, on the principles that, what has been
decided in an earlier case is binding in a similar future case also, unless there is a
change in the circumstances.
 Judicial precedent may, according to Salmond, be either authoritative or
persuasive. The decisions of the supreme court of India are authoritative for all
courts in India while a decision of a High Court, although authoritative to its
subordinate courts, are only persuasive to the other High Courts and subordinate
courts. The decisions of the Privy Council, which were authoritative to the Indian
law courts are now only persuasive. Indian mercantile law being codified by
Parliamentary enactments, English Judicial decisions apply only if the Indian Law
is silent on a point and the customs and usages prevailing in Indian permit such
application. Otherwise such decisions are merely persuasive and of guidance only.
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Introduction to Contract
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 When the Courts of Justice for the three presidency towns of

Calcutta, Madras and Bombay were established, the English
common law and stature law relating to contracts, as suitable to
Indian conditions, were introduced by Charters’ Application of
English law to Hindus and Mohammadans led to many
inconveniences.
 To remove this difficulty the statute of 1781 empowered the
supreme court, i.e., Court at Calcutta and statute of 1797 the
Recorders’ Court, i.e., Court at Madras and Bombay to determine all
matters of contract in case of Mohammadans by the laws governing
them and in case of Hindus by the laws and usages governing them.
The effects of the statutes was supersede English law so far as
regards Hindus and Mohammadans in the case of contracts. In spite
of the changes made by the Statutes of 1781 and 1799 the difficulties
being faced could not be solved properly. It was strongly felt that a
comprehensive law must be enacted in respect of contracts.
Accordingly the Indian Contract Bill was introduced in Legislature.
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Introduction to Contract Contd…
 ACT 9 OF 1872
 The Indian Contract Bill having been passed by the Legislature received its assent on
25th April, 1872. It came on the Statute Books as THE INDIAN CONTRACT ACT, 1872
(9 of 1872)
 LIST OF AMENDING ACTS AND ADAPTATION ORDERS
 (1) The Specific Relief Act, 1877 (1 of 1877)
 (2) The Indian Contract Act (1872) Amendment Act, 1886 (4 of 1886)
 (3) The Amending Act, 1891 (12 of 1891)
 (4) The Indian Contract (Amendment) Act, 1899 (6 of 1899)
 (5) The Repealing and Amending Act, 1914 (10 of 1914)
 (6) The Repealing and Amending Act, 1917 (24 of 1917)
 (7) The Sale of Goods Act, 1930 (3 of 1930)
 (9) The Indian Partnership Act, 1932 (9 of 1932)
 (10) The Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937
 (11) The Indian Independence (Adaptation of Central Acts and Ordinances) Order,
1948
 (12) The Adaptation of Laws Order, 1950
 (13) The Part B States (Laws) Act, 1951 (3 0f 1951)
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 The law of contract is the foundation upon which the

superstructure of modern business is built. It is common
knowledge that the business transactions quite often promises
are made at one time and the performance follows later. In
such a situation if either of the parties were free to go back on
its promise without incurring any liability, there would be
endless complications and it would be impossible to carry on
trade and commerce. Hence the law of contract was enacted
which lays down the legal rules relating to promises: their
information, their performance, and their enforceability.
Explaining the object of the law of contract Sir Wlliam
Anson observes: “The law of contract is intended to
ensure that what a man has been led to expect shall
come to pass; that what has been promised to him
shall be performed”.
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 The law of contract is applicable not only to the business

community, but also to others. Everyone of us enters into a
number of contracts almost every day, and most of the time we
do so without even realizing what we are doing form the point of
law.
 A person seldom realizes that when he entrusts his bike /car to
the mechanic for repair, he is entering into a contract of
bailment; or when he buys a packet of milk / cigarettes, he is
making a contract of the sale of goods; or again when he goes to
the cinema to see a movie, he is making yet another contract; and
so on.
 Besides, the law of contact furnishes the basis for the other
branches of Mercantile Law. The enactment relating to sale of
goods, negotiable instruments, insurance, partnership and
insolvency are all founded upon the general principles of contract
law. That is why the study of the law of contract precedes the
study of all other sub-divisions of Mercantile Law.
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Introduction to the Indian Contract Act, 1872
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 The law of contract in India is contained in the Indian

Contract Act, 1872. This Act is based mainly on English
Common Law which is to a large extent made up of judicial
precedents.
 It extends to the whole of India except the State of Jammu and
Kashmir and came into force on the first day of September
1872.
 The Act is not exhaustive. It does not deal with all the branches
of the law of contract. There are separate Acts which deal with
contracts relating to negotiable instruments, transfer of
property, sale of goods, partnership, insurance, and etc.
 Again the act does not affect any usage or custom of trade
(Sec.1) . A minor amendment in Sec. 28 of the Act was made
by the Indian Contract (Amendment) Act, 1996.
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Scheme of the Act
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 The scheme of the Act may be divided into two main

group:
 (1) General Principle of the law of contract (Secs. 1-75)
 (2) Specific kinds of contracts, Viz:
 (a) Contract of Indemnity and Guarantee (Secs. 124-147)
 (b) Contract of Bailment and Pledge (Secs. 148-181)
 (c) Contract of Agency (Secs. 182-238)
Before 1930 the Act also contained provisions relating to contracts of
sale of goods and partnership. Secs. 76-123 relating to the sale of
goods were repealed in 1930 ad a separate Act called the Sale of
Goods Act was enacted. Similarly, Secs. 239-266 relating to
partnership were repealed in 1932 when the Indian Partnership Act
was passed.
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Basic Assumptions underlying the Act
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 Subject to certain limiting principles, there shall be

freedom of contract to the contracting parties and the
law shall enforce only what the parties have agreed to be
bound. The law shall not lay down absolute rights and
liabilities of the contracting parties. Instead it shall lay
down only the essentials of a valid contact and the rights
and obligations it would create between the parties in the
absence of anything to the contrary agreed to by the
parties.
 Expectations created by promises of the parties shall be
fulfilled and their non-fulfillment shall give rise to legal
consequences. If the plaintiff asserts that the defendant
undertook to do a certain act and failed to fulfill his
promise, an action at law shall lie.
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Definition of Contract
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 According to Sec. 2(h) of the Indian Contract Act:

“An agreement enforceable by law is a
contract.” A contract, therefore, is an agreement
the object of which is to create a legal obligation i.e.,
a duty enforceable by law.
 From the above definition, we can find that a
contract essentially consists of 2 elements:
 (1) An agreement and
 (2) Legal obligation i.e., a duty enforceable by law.
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1. Agreement
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 As per Sec 2(e): “Every promise and every set of promises,
forming the consideration for each other, is an agreement.”
Thus it is clear from this definition that a ‘promise’ is an agreement.
 What is a ‘promise’? The answer to this question is contained in Sec 2(b)
which defines the term: “when the person to whom the proposal is
made signifies his assent thereto, the proposal is said to be
accepted. A proposal, when accepted, becomes a promise.” An
agreement, therefore, comes into existence only when one party makes a
proposal or offer to the other party and that other party signifies his
assent (i.e., gives his acceptance) thereto.
 In short, an agreement is the sum total of ‘offer’ and ‘acceptance’.
 On analyzing the above definition the following characteristics of an
agreement become evident:
 (a) Plurality of Persons. There must be two or more persons to make
an agreement because one person cannot enter into an agreement with
himself.
 (b) Consensus-ad-idem. Both the parties to an agreement must agree
about the subject-matter of the agreement in the same sense and at the
same time.
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2. Legal Obligation
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 As stated above, an agreement to become a contract must give rise to a legal obligation
i.e., a duty enforceable by law. If an agreement is incapable of creating a duty
enforceable by law, it is not a contract. Thus an agreement is a wider term than a
contract. “All contracts are agreements but all agreements are not
contracts.”
 Agreements of moral, religious or social nature e.g., a promise to lunch together at a
friend’s house or to take a walk together are not contracts because they are not likely
to create a duty enforceable by law for the simple reason that the parties never
intended that they should be attended by legal consequences.
 In business agreements the presumption is usually that the parties intend to create
legal relations. Thus an agreement to buy certain specific goods at an agreed price e.g.,
100 bags of wheat at Rs. 430 per bag is a contract because it gives rise to a duty
enforceable by law, and in case of default on the part of either party an action for
breach of contract could be enforced through a court provided other essential
elements of a valid contract as laid down in Sec. 10 are present, namely, if the contract
was made by free consent of the parties competent to contract, for a lawful
consideration and with a lawful object.
 Thus it may be concluded that the Act restricts the use of the word ‘contract’ to only
those agreements which give rise to legal obligations between the parties. 3 July 2019
Essential Elements of a Valid Contract
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 A contract has been defined in Sec. 2(h) as “an agreement enforceable

by law.” To be enforceable by law, an agreement must posses the essential
elements of a valid contract as contained in Sec. 10, 29 and 56. According to
Sec. 10 all agreements are contracts if they are made by the free consent of
the parties, competent to contract, for a lawful consideration, with a lawful
object, are not expressly declared by the Act to be void, and, where necessary,
satisfy the requirements of any law as to writing or attestation or
registration.
 (1) Offer and Acceptance
 (2) Intention to create legal relations
 (3) Lawful consideration
 (4) Capacity of parties
 (5) Free consent
 (6) Lawful object
 (7) Writing and registration
 (8) Certainty
 (9) Possibility of performance
 (10) Not expressly declared void
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Essential Elements of a Valid Contract Contd…
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 (1) Offer and Acceptance: There must be a ‘lawful offer’ and a ‘lawful acceptance’
of the offer, thus resulting in an agreement. The adjective ‘lawful’ implies that the offer and
acceptance must satisfy the requirements of the Contract Act in relation thereto.
 (2) Intention to Create Legal Relation: There must be an intention among the parties
that the agreement should be attached by legal consequences and create legal obligations.
Agreements of a social or domestic nature do not contemplate legal relations, and as such
they do not give rise to contract. An agreement to dine at a friend’s house is not an
agreement intended to create legal relations and therefore is not a contract. Agreements
between husband and wife also lack the intention to create legal relationship and thus do
not result in contracts.
 Illustrations:
 (a): M promises his wife N to get her a saree if she will sing a song. N sang the song but M
did not bring the saree for her. N cannot bring an action in a court to enforce the
agreement as it lacked the intention to create legal relations.
 (b): The defendant was a civil servant stationed in Ceylon. He and his wife were enjoying
leave in England. When the defendant was due to return to Ceylon, his wife could not
accompany him because of her health. The defendant agreed to send her 30 pounds a
month as maintenance expenses during the time they were thus forced to live apart. She
sued for breach of this agreement. Her action was dismissed on the ground that no legal
relations had been contemplated and therefore there was no contract. (Balfour V/s
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Balfour)
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 In commercial agreements an intention to create legal relations is

presumed. Thus, an agreement to buy and sell goods intends to create
legal relationship, hence is a contract, provided other requisites of a
valid contract are present. But if the parties have expressly declared
their resolve that the agreement is not to create legal obligation, even a
business agreement does not amount to a contract. The case of Rose &
Frank Co. V/s Crompton & Brothers Ltd., provides a good illustration
on the point.
 Illustrations:
 (C): In the above case R company entered into an agreement with C
company, by means of which the former was appointed as the agent of
the latter. One clause of the agreement was as follows: “this
arrangement is not entered into as a formal or legal agreement, and
shall not be subject to legal jurisdiction in the law courts”. It was held
that there was n intention to create legal relations on the part of parties
to the agreement and hence there was no contract
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 (3) Lawful Consideration: The third essential element of a valid contract is the
presence of ‘Consideration’. Consideration has been defined as the price paid by one
party for the promise of the other. An agreement is legally enforceable only when each
of the parties to it gives something and gets something. The something given or obtain
is the price for the promise and is called ‘Consideration’. Subject to certain
exceptions, gratuitous promises are not enforceable at law.
 The ‘Consideration’ may be an act (doing something) or forbearance (not doing
something) or a promise to do or not to do something. It may be past, present or
future. But only those considerations are valid which are ‘Lawful’. The consideration is
‘Lawful’, unless – it is forbidden by law; 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 is immoral; or is opposed to public policy
(Sec. 23)
 (4) Capacity of Parties: The parties to an agreement must be competent to
contract, otherwise it cannot be enforced by a court of law. In order to be competent
to contract the parties must by of the age of majority and of sound mind and must not
be disqualified from contracting by any law to which they are subject (Sec. 11). If any
of the parties to the agreement suffers from minority, lunacy, idiocy, drunkenness,
etc., the agreement is not enforceable at law, except in some special cases e.g., in the
case of necessaries supplied to a minor or lunatic, the supplier of goods is entitled to
be reimbursed from their estate (Sec. 68).
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 (5) Free Consent: Free consent of all the parties to an agreement is

another essential element of a valid contract. ‘Consent’ means that the
parties must have agreed upon the same thing in the same sense (Sec. 13).
There is absence of ‘Free Consent’, if the agreement is induced by (i)
Coercion, (ii) Undue influence, (iii) Fraud, (iv) Mis-
representation, or (v) mistake (Sec. 14). If the agreement is vitiated by
any of the first 4 factors, the contract would by voidable and cannot be
enforced by the party guilty of coercion, undue influence etc., the other party
(i.e., the aggrieved party) can either reject the contract or accept it, subject to
the rules laid down in the Act. If the agreement is induced by mutual mistake
which is material to the agreement, it would be void (Sec. 20)
 (6) Lawful Object: For the formation of a valid contract it is also necessary
that the parties to an agreement must agree for a lawful object. The object for
which the agreement has been entered into must not be fraudulent or illegal
or immoral or opposed to public policy or must not imply injury to the
person or property of another (Sec. 23). If the object is unlawful for one or
the other of the reasons mentioned above the agreement is void. Thus, when
a landlord knowingly lets a house to a prostitute to carry on prostitution, he
cannot recover the rent through a court of law.
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 (7) Writing and registration: According to the Indian contract Act, a

contract may be oral or in writing. But in certain special cases it lays down
that the agreement, to be valid, must be in writing or / and registered. For
example, it requires that an agreement to pay a time barred debt must be in
writing and an agreement to make a gift for natural love and affection must
be in writing and registered (Sec. 25). Similarly, certain other Acts also
require writing or / and registration to make the agreement enforceable by
law which must be observed. Thus, (i) an arbitration agreement must be in
writing as per the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996; (ii) an agreement
for a sale of immovable property must be in writing and registered under the
Transfer of Property Act, 1882 before they can be legally enforced.
 (8) Certainty: Sec. 29 of the Contract Act provides that “Agreements, the
meaning of which is not certain or capable of being made certain, are void”.
In order to give rise to a valid contract the terms of the agreement must not
be vague or uncertain. It must be possible to ascertain the meaning of the
agreement, for otherwise, it cannot be enforced.
 Illustration: A agrees to Sell B “a hundred tons of oil”. There is nothing
whatever to show what kind of oil was intended. The agreement is void for
uncertainty.
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 (9) Possibility of Performance: Yet another essential

feature of a valid contract is that it must be capable of
performance. Sec. 56 lays down that “An agreement to do an
act impossible in itself is void”. If the act is impossible in
itself, physically or legally, the agreement cannot be enforced
at law.
 Illustration: A agrees with B to discover treasure by magic.
The agreement is not enforceable.
 (10) Not Expressly Declared Void: The agreement must
not have been expressly declared to be void under the Act,
Secs. 24-30 specify certain types of agreements which have
been expressly declared to be void. For Example: an
agreement in restrain of marriage, an agreement in restrain of
trade, and an agreement by way of wager have been expressly
declared void under Secs. 26, 27 and 30 respectively.
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Kinds of Contract
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 (I) Kinds of Contract form the Point of View of Enforceability

 (1) Valid Contract
 (2) Voidable Contract
 (3) Void Contract
 (a) Supervening Impossibility (Sec. 56)
 (b) Subsequent illegality (Sec. 56)
 (c) Repudiation of a voidable contract
 (d) In the case of a contract contingent on the happening of an uncertain future event, if that event
becomes impossible
 (4) Unenforceable Contract
 (5) Illegal or Unlawful Contract
 (II) Kinds of Contract form the Point of View of Mode of Creation
 (1) Express Contract
 (2) Implied Contract
 (3) Constructive or Quasi Contract
 (III) Kinds of Contract form the Point of View of the Extent of Execution
 (1) Executed Contract
 (2) Executory Contract
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(I) Kinds of Contract form the Point of View of
Enforceability Contd…
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 From the point of view of enforceability a contract may be Valid or

Voidable or Void or Unenforceable or Illegal
 (1) Valid Contract: A Valid Contract is as agreement enforceable by law.
An agreement becomes enforceable by law when all the essential elements
of a valid contract as enumerated above are present
 (2) Voidable Contract: According to Sec. 2(i), “an agreement which is
enforceable by law at the option of one or more of the parties thereto, but
not at the option of the other or others, is a voidable contract”. Thus, a
voidable contract is one which is enforceable by law at the option of one of
the parties. Until it is avoided or rescinded by the party entitled to do so by
exercising his option in that behalf, it is a valid contract.
 Illustration: (a) A threatens to shoot B if he does not sell his new Bajaj
scooter to A for Rs. 2000/- . B agrees. The contract has been brought
about by coercion and is voidable at the option of B.
 (b) A intending to deceive B, falsely represents that five hundred quintals
of indigo are made annually at A’s factory, and thereby induces B to buy
the factory. The contract has been caused by fraud and is voidable at the
option of B.
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 Other circumstances under which a contract becomes voidable.

The Indian contract Act has laid down certain other situations also under
which a contract becomes voidable. For example: (i) When a contract
contains reciprocal promises, and one party to the contract prevents the
other from performing his promises, then the contract becomes voidable at
the option of the party so prevented (Sec. 53)
 Illustration: A contracts with B that A shall whitewash B’s house for Rs.
100/-. A is ready and willing to execute the work accordingly, but B
prevents him from doing so. The contract becomes voidable at the option of
A.
 (ii) When a party to the contract promises to do a certain thing within a
specified time, but fails to do it, then the contract becomes voidable at the
option of the promise, if the intention of the parties was that time should be
of the essence of the contract (Sec. 55)
 Illustration: X agrees to sell and deliver 10 bags of wheat to Y for Rs.
2500/- within one week. But X does not supply the wheat within the
specified time. The contract becomes voidable at the option of Y.
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(I) Kinds of Contract form the Point of
View of Enforceability
28 Contd…
 (3) Void Contract: Literally the word ‘Void’ means ‘
not binding in law’. According the term ‘Void
Contract’ implies a useless contract which has no legal
effect at all. Such a contract is nullity, as for there has
been no contract at all. Sec. 2(j) defines: “A contract
which ceases to be enforceable by law becomes
Void, when it ceases to be enforceable”. It follows
form the definition that a void contract is not void from
its inception and that it is valid and binding on the
parties when originally entered but subsequent to its
formation it becomes invalid and destitute of legal effect
because of certain reasons.
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(I) Kinds of Contract form the Point of View
of Enforceability Contd…
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 The reasons which transform a valid contract into a void contract, as given in the Contract Act,
are as follows:
 (a) Supervening impossibility (Sec. 56). A contract becomes void by impossibility of
performance after the formation of the contract. For Example: A and B contract to marry
each other. Before the time fixed for the marriage, A goes mad. The contract to marry becomes
void.
 (b) Subsequent illegality (Sec. 56). A contract also becomes void by subsequent illegality.
For Example: A agrees to sell B 100 bags of wheat at Rs. 650/- per bag. Before delivery, the
Government bans private trading in wheat. The contract becomes void.
 (c) Repudiation of a voidable contract. A voidable contract becomes void, when the
party, whose consent is not free, repudiates the contract. For Example: M by threatening to
murder B’s son, makes B agree to sell his car worth Rs. 30000/- for a sum of Rs. 10000/- only.
The contract, being the result of coercion, is voidable at the option of B. B may either affirm or
reject the contract. In case B decides to rescind the contract, it becomes void.
 (d) In the case of a contract contingent on the happening of an uncertain future
event, if that event becomes impossible. A contingent contract to do or not to do
something on the happening of an uncertain future event, becomes void, when the event
becomes impossible (Sec. 32). For Example: A contracts to give Rs. 1000/- as loan to B, if B
marries C. C dies without being married to B. The contract becomes void.
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 Void Agreement: “An agreement not enforceable by law is said to be

void” {Sec. 2(g)}. Thus, a void agreement does not give rise to any legal
consequences and is void ab-initio. In the eye of law such an agreement is
not agreement at all form its very inception. There is absence of one or
more essential elements of a valid contract, except that of ‘free consent’, in
the case of void agreement. Thus an agreement with a minor is void ab-
initio as against him, because a minor lacks the capacity to contract.
Similarly, an agreement without consideration is void ab-initio, of course
with certain exceptions as laid down is Sec. 25. Certain agreements have
been expressly declared void in the contract Act For Example:
agreements which are in restraint of trade or of marriage or of legal
proceedings or which are by way of wager.
 A ‘Void agreement’ should be distinguished from a ‘void
contract’. A void agreement’ never amounts to a contract as it is void ab-
initio. A ‘void contract’ is valid when it is entered into, but subsequent to
its formation something happens which makes it unenforceable by law.
Notice that a contract cannot be void ab-initio and only an agreement can
be void ab-initio.
3 July 2019
31
 Obligation of person who has received advantage under void agreement

of contract that becomes void: In this connection Sec. 65 lays down that when
an agreement is discovered to be void or when a contract becomes void, any person
who has received any advantage under such agreement or contract is bound to
restore it, or to make compensation for it, to the person from whom he received
it. Thus, this section provides for restitution of the benefit received; so that both
parties may stand unaffected by the transaction; in the following two cases:
 (a) When an agreement is discovered to be void: In other words, when an
agreement is void ab-initio but the fact of its being void being discovered at a later
stage. For Example: A pays B Rs. 1000/- for B’s agreeing to sell his horse to him.
It turns out that the horse was dead at the time of the bargain, though neither party
was aware of the fact. In this case the agreement is discovered to be void and B must
repay a A Rs. 1000/-.
 (b) When a contract becomes void: Restitution is also allowed in the case of a
void contract. For Example: A agrees to sell B after one month 10 quintals of
wheat at Rs. 625/- per quintal and receives Rs. 500/- as advance. Soon after the
contract, private sales of wheat are prohibited by an Act of the legislature. The
contract becomes void but A must return the sum of Rs 500/- to B. Similarly, where
after accepting Rs. 1000/- as an advance for singing at a concert for B, A is too ill to
sing. A is not bound to make compensation to B for the loss of the profits which B
would have made if A would have been able to sing, but A must refund to B the Rs.
1000/- paid in advance.
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32
 (4) Unenforceable Contract: An unenforceable

contract is one which is valid in itself, but is not
capable of being enforced in a court of law because of
some technical defect such as absence of writing,
registration, requisite stamp etc., or time barred by
the law of limitation. For Example: An oral
arbitration agreement to be in writing. Similarly, a
bill of exchange or promissory note, though valid in
itself, becomes unenforceable after three years from
the date the bill or note falls due, being time barred
under the limitation Act.
3 July 2019
33
 (5) Illegal or Unlawful Contract: The word ‘illegal’ means ‘contrary to law’ and the
term ‘contract’ means ‘an agreement enforceable by law’. As such to speak of an ‘illegal
contract’ involves a contradiction in terms, because it means something like this – an
agreement enforceable by law and contrary to law. There is apparent contradiction in terms.
Moreover, being of unlawful nature, such an agreement can never attain the status of a contract.
Thus it will be proper if we use the term ‘illegal contract’. An illegal agreement is void ab-
initio.
 An agreement is illegal and void if its object or consideration: (a) is forbidden by law;
or (b) is of such a nature that, if permitted, it would defeat the provisions of any law; or (c) is
fraudulent; or (d) involves or implies injury to the person or property of another; or (e) the
court regards it as immoral, or opposed to public policy (Sec. 23). Thus, an agreement to
commit murder or assault or robbery or to make a gift in consideration of illicit intercourse
would be illegal and void ab-initio.
 Illustrations:
 (a) A engages B to murder C and borrows Rs. 5000 from D to pay B, D is aware of the purpose
of the loan. Here the agreement between A and B is illegal and the agreement between A and D
is collateral to an illegal agreement. As such the loan transaction is illegal and void and D is
cannot recover the money. But the position will change if D is not aware of the purpose of the
loan. In that case the loan transaction is not collateral to the illegal agreement and is a valid
contract.
 (b) In the above case if A borrows from D to pay his wagering debts (a wagering agreement is
void under Sec. 30), the contract between A and D would not have been affected, even though
D is aware of the purpose of the loan because an agreement collateral to a void agreement is
perfectly valid.
3 July 2019
(II) Kinds of Contract form the Point of View of Mode of
Creation
34
 From the point of view of mode of creation a contract may be

Express or implied or Constructive.
 (1) Express Contract: Where both the offer and acceptance
constituting an agreement enforceable at law are made in
words spoken or written, it is an express contract. For
Example: A tells B on telephone that he offers to sell his car
for Rs. 20000/- and B in reply informs A that he accepts the
offer, there is an express contract.
 (2) Implied Contract: Where both the offer and acceptance
constituting an agreement enforceable at law are made other
wise than in words i.e., by act and conduct of the parties, it is
an implied contract. Thus, where A a coolie in uniform takes
up the luggage of B, and B allows him to do so, then the law
implies that B aggress to pay for pay for the services of A, and
there is an implied contract.
3 July 2019
(II) Kinds of Contract form the Point of View of Mode of
Creation Contd…
35
 (3) Constructive or Quasi Contract: The term ‘Constructive

or Quasi Contract’ is a misnomer. The cases grouped under this
type of contracts have little of no affinity with contract. Such a
contract does not arise by virtue of any agreement, express or
implied between the parties but the law infers or recognizes a
contract under certain special circumstances.
 For Example: Obligation of finder of lost goods to return them to
the true owner or liability of person to whom money is paid under
mistake to repay it back cannot be said to arise out of a contract
even in its remotest sense, as there is neither offer and acceptance
nor consent, but these are very much covered under Quasi
Contracts as per Sec. 71 and 72 respectively. The Contract Act has
rightly named such contracts as “Certain relations resembling
those created by Contract”
 A Quasi Contract is based upon the equitable principle that a
person shall not be allowed to retain unjust benefit at the expense of
another, Sec. 68-72 of the Contract Act describe the cases which are
to be deemed ‘Quasi Contracts’.
3 July 2019
(III) Kinds of Contract from the Point of View of the Extent of
Execution
36
 From the point of view of the extent of execution a contract may be

executed or executory.
 (1) Executed Contract: A contract is said to be executed when both the
parties to a contract have completely performed there share of obligation
and nothing remains to be done by either party under the contract. For
Example: When a bookseller sells a book on cash payment it is an
executed contract because both the parties have one what they were to do
under the contract.
 Where only one of the parties to a contract has performed his share of
obligation and the other party is still to perform his share of obligation,
then also the contract is called ‘Executed’.
 Fore Example: M advertises a reward of Rs. 1000/- to anyone who finds
his missing son. B knowing the offer finds the missing boy and brings him.
As soon as B traces the boy, there comes into existence an executed
contract because B has performed his share of obligation and it remains for
M to pay the amount of reward to B. This type of executed contracts are
also called Unilateral Contracts because in such contracts only one
obligation remains outstanding, the other obligation having being
performed at the time of a before the formation of the contract.
3 July 2019
(III) Kinds of Contract from the Point of View of the Extent of
Execution
37
 (2) Executory Contract: it is one in which both the obligation are

outstanding, one on either party to the contract, either wholly or in
part, at the time of the formation of the contract. In other words, a
contract is said to be executory when either both the parties to a
contract have still to perform their share of obligation in to or there
remains something to be done under the contract on both sides.
 For Example: Where T agrees to coach R, a pre-medical student,
from first day of the next month and R in consideration promises to
pay T Rs. 500 per month, the contract is executory because it is yet
to be carried out.
 Similarly, where M promises to sell his car to N for Rs. 10000/-
down cash, but N pays only Rs. 1000/- as earnest money and
promises to pay the balance on next Sunday. On the other hand, M
gives the possession of car to N and promises to execute a sale deed
on receipt of the full amount. The contract between M and N is
executory because there remains something to be done on both
sides. Executory contracts are also known as Bilateral Contracts.
3 July 2019
The Proposal or Offer
38
 The word ‘Proposal’ and ‘Offer’ are synonymous and are used interchangeably. Sec.
2(a) of The Indian Contract Act defines a Proposal as “When one person signifies to
another his willingness to do or to abstain form doing anything, with a view to
obtaining the assent of that other to such act or abstinence, he is said to make a
proposal”
 (i) It must be an expression of the willingness to do or to abstain from doing
something
 (ii) The expression of willingness to do or to abstain form doing something must be to
another person. There can be no ‘Proposal’ by a person to himself
 (iii) The expression of willingness to do or to abstain form doing something must be
made with a view to obtaining the assent of the other person to such act r
abstinence.
 Thus a casual enquiry – “Do you intend to sell your motorcycle?” – is not proposal.
Similarly, a mere statement of intention – “I may sell my motorcycle if I can get Rs.
14000 for it” – is not a ‘proposal’. But if M says to N, “Will you buy my motorcycle for
Rs. 14000”, or “I am willing to sell my motorcycle to you for Rs.14000”, we have a
‘proposal’ as it has been made with the object of obtaining the assent of N.
 The person making the ‘Proposal’ or ‘Offer’ is called the ‘Promisor’ or ‘Offeror’,
the person to whom the offer is made is called the ‘Offeree’, and the person accepting
the offer is called the ‘Promisee’ or ‘acceptor’.
3 July 2019
Legal Rules Regarding a Valid Offer
39
 A valid offer must be in conformity with the following rules;

 (1) An offer may be ‘express’ or ‘implied’. An offer may be made either
by words or by conduct. An offer which is expressed by words, spoken or
written, is called an ‘express offer’ and the one which is inferred from the
conduct of a person or the circumstances of the case is called in ‘implied
offer’
 Illustrations:
 (a) M says to N that he is willing to sell his motorcycle to him for Rs.
20000. this is an express offer
 (b) X writes to Y that he offers to sell his house to him for Rs. 80000.
there is an express offer.
 (c) The Delhi Transport Corporation runs omnibuses on different routes to
carry passengers at the scheduled fares. This is an implied offer by DTC
 (d) A shoe shiner starts shining some one’s shoes, without being asked to
do so, in such circumstances that any reasonable man could guess that he
experts to be paid for this, he makes an implied offer.
3 July 2019
Legal Rules Regarding a Valid Offer Contd…
40
 (2) An offer must contemplate to give rise to legal consequences
and be capable of creating legal relations. If the offer does not intend
to give rise to legal consequences, it is not a valid offer in the eye of law. An
offer to a friend to dine at the offeror’s place, or an offer to one’s wife to show
her a movie is not a valid offer and as such cannot give rise to a binding
agreement, even though it is accepted and there is consideration, because in
social agreements or domestic arrangements the presumption is that the
parties do not intend legal consequences to follow the breach of agreement.
But in the case of agreements regulating business transactions the
presumption is just the other way.
 (3) The terms of the offer must be certain and not loose or vague.
If the terms of the offer are not definite and certain, it does not amount to a
lawful offer. Maugham L J has rightly observed: “unless all the material
terms of the contract are agreed, there is no binding obligation”. Thus an
agreement to agree in future is not a contract, because the terms of
agreement are uncertain as they are yet to be settled.
 Illustration: (a) X purchased a horse from Y and promised to buy another,
if the first one proves lucky. X refused to but the second horse, Y could not
enforce the agreement, it being loose and vague
 (b) A offers to B lavish entertainment, if B does a particular work for him
A’s offer does not amount lawful offer being Vague an uncertain.
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41
 (4) An invitation to offer is not a offer. An offer must be distinguished from an ‘invitation
to receive offer’ or as it is sometimes expressed in judicial language an ‘invitation to treat’. In
case of ‘invitation’ to receive offer’ the person sending out the invitation does not make an offer
but only invites the other party to make an offer. His object is merely to circulate information that
he is willing to deal with anybody who, on such information, is willing to open negotiation with
him. Such invitation for offers are therefore not offers in the eye of law and do not become
agreements by their acceptance. Example: (a) An advertisement for sale of goods by auction does
not amount to an offer to hold such sale. It merely invites offers. Actual bids made at the auction
are ‘offers’, each higher bid superseding the previous one, and when the hammer falls on the
highest bid, there is an acceptance and the contract becomes complete. An advertisement for an
auction sale does not even bind the auctioneer to hold the auction and the prospective bidders
have no legal right to complaint if they have wasted their time and money in coming to the
advertised place of the auction sale (Harris Vs Nickerson)
 (b) Quotations, catalogues of prices or display of goods with prices marked thereon do not
constitute an offer. They are instead an invitation for offer and hence if a customer asks for goods
or makes an offer, the shopkeeper is free to accept the offer or not.
 Illustration: There is a ‘Self Service System’ in a shop. A customer selects the goods and takes
them to cashier for payment of the price. The cashier totals the price and accepts the amount. The
contract, in this case is made, not when the customer selects the goods, but when the cashier
accepts the offer by accepting the payment. The selection of goods by the customer constitutes an
implied offer’ to buy goods and the acceptance of payment by the cashier constitutes ‘acceptance’
or the offer. (Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain Vs Books Cash Chemists (Southern) Ltd,.
3 July 2019
42
 (5) An offer may be ‘Specific’ or ‘General’. An offer is said to be
‘Specific’ when it is made to a definite person or persons. Such an offer can
be accepted only by the person or persons to whom it is made. Thus, where
M makes an offer to N to sell his motorcycle for Rs. 14ooo, there is a specific
offer and N alone can accept it. A ‘General offer’, on the other hand, is one
which is made to the world at large or public in general and may be accepted
by any person who fulfils the requisite conditions.
 Offers of reward made by way of advertisement, addressed to the public at
large, for the rendering of certain services, or the restoration of lost articles
are also examples of general offers.
 (6) An offer must be communicated to the offeree. An offer is
effective only when it is communicated to the offeree. Until the offer is made
known to the offeree, there can be no acceptance and no contract. Doing
anything in ignorance of the offer can never be treated as its acceptance, for
there was never a consensus of wills. This applies to both ‘Specific’ and
‘General offers’.
 Illustrations: (a) A, without knowing that a reward has been offered for
the arrest of a particular criminal, catches the criminal and gives the
information to the superintendent of police. A cannot recover the reward as
he cannot be said to have accepted the offer when he was not at all aware of
it.
3 July 2019
43
 Communication of Special terms. Regarding the communication of

the special terms of the contract as contained in a ticket, receipt or
standard form documents, the more important rules adopted by the courts
are as follows:
 (a) If the acceptor or the promisee had no knowledge of special terms
before or at the time of the contract, they are not binding upon the
acceptor. Example: If the ticket does not clearly directs the customer to
refer the terms and condition printed at back of the ticket or in the offer
broacher then the company is responsible for any damages caused to the
customer.
 (b) If the acceptor or the promisee had the knowledge or may be presumed
to have the knowledge; because a reasonably sufficient notice had been
given to him by suitable words on the document; of special terms, before or
at the time of the contract, the terms are binding upon the acceptor
whether he has read them or not is immaterial. Example: If the ticket
clearly directs the customer to refer the terms and condition printed at back
of the ticket or in the offer broacher then the company is not responsible
for any damages caused to the customer.
3 July 2019
44
 (7) An offer should not contain a term the non-compliance of

which would amount to acceptance. Thus an offeror cannot say that if
acceptance is not communicated up to a certain date, the offer would be
presumed to have been accepted. If the offeree does not reply, there is no
contract, because no obligation to reply can be imposed on him, on the
grounds of justice.
 (8) An offer can be made subject to any terms and conditions. An
offer may attach any terms and conditions to the offer he makes. He may
even prescribe the mode of acceptance.
 (9) Two identical Cross-offers do not make a contract. When two
parties make identical offers to each other, in ignorance of each other’s
offer, the offers are ‘corss-offers’. ‘Cross-offers’ do not constitute acceptance
of one’s offer by the other and as such there is no completed agreement.
 Illustration: on 15th October, 1989 A wrote to B offering to sell him 100
tons of iron at Rs. 8800 per ton. On the same day, B wrote to A offering to
buy 100 tons of iron at Rs. 8800 per ton. The letters crossed in the post.
There is no concluded contract between A and B because the offers were
simultaneous, each being made in ignorance of the other, and there is no
acceptance of each other’s offer.
3 July 2019
45
 Lapse and Revocation of Offer:

 (1) An offer lapses after stipulated or reasonable time. An offer lapses if
acceptance is not communicated within a reasonable time prescribed in the offer, or
if no time is prescribed, within a reasonable time {Sec. 6 (2)}. What is a reasonable
time is a question of fact depending upon the circumstances of each case. For
example, an offer made by telegram suggests that a reply is required urgently and if
the offeree delays the communication of his acceptance even by a day or two, the
offer will be considered to have lapsed.
 Illustration: An application for allotement of shares was made on 8th june. The
applicant was informed on the 23rd November that shares were alloted to him. He
refused to accept them. It was held that his offer had lapsed by reason of the delay of
the company is notifying their acceptance, and that he was not bound to accept the
shares.
 (2) An offer lapses by not being accepted in the mode prescribed, or if no
mode is prescribed, in some usual and reasonable manner. But, according
to Sec. 7, if the offeree does not accept the offer according to the mode prescribed,
the offere does not lapse automatically. It is for the offeror to insist that his proposal
shall be accepted only in the prescribed manner, and if he fails to do so he is deemed
to have accepted the acceptance.
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46
 (3) An offer lapses by rejection. An offer lapses if it has been rejected

by the offeree. The rejection may be express, i.e., by words spoken or
written, or implied. Implied rejection is one: (a) where either the offeree
makes a counter offer, or (b) where the offeree gives conditional
acceptance.
 Illustration: A offered to sell his house to B for Rs. 90000, B offered Rs.
80000 for which price A refused to sell. Subsequently B offered to
purchase the house for Rs. 90000. A declined to adhere to his original
offer. B filed a suit to obtain specific performance of the alleged contract.
Dismissing the suit, the court held that A was justified because no contract
had come into existence, as B by offering Rs. 80000, had rejected the
original offer. Subsequent willingness to pay Rs. 90000 could be no
acceptance or A’s offer as there was no offer to accept. The original offer
had already come to an end on account of ‘counter offer’.
 (4) An offer lapses by the death or insanity of the offeror or the
offeree before acceptance. If the offeror dies or becomes insane before
acceptance, the offer lapses provided that the fact of his death or insanity
comes to the knowledge of the acceptor before acceptance {Sec. 6 (4)}.
3 July 2019
47
 (5) An offer lapses by revocation. An offer is revoked when if is retracted back by
the offeror. An offer may be revoked, at any time before acceptance, by the
communication of notice of revocation by the offeror to the other party {Sec. 6(1)}.
For example, at an auction sale, A makes the highest bid. But, he withdraws the bid
before the fall of the hammer. There cannot be a concluded contract because the offer
has been revoked before acceptance.
 Revocation of standing offer or tender. Where a person offers to another to
supply specific goods, up to a stated quality or in any quantity which may be required,
at a certain rate, during a fixed period, he makes a standing offer or tender. A standing
offer is in the nature of an open or continuing offer. An acceptance of such an
offer merely amounts to an intimation that the offer will be considered to remain open
during the period specified, and that it will be accepted from time to time by placing
order specified, and that it will accepted from time to time by placing order for
specified quantities. Each successive order given, while the offer remains in force, is
an acceptance of the standing offer as to the quantity ordered, and creates a separate
contract. In view of this legal position, the offeror is free to revoke the standing offer
with regard to further supply, at any time, by giving a notice to the offeree, except
where consideration id given for it.
 (6) Revocation by non-fulfilment of a condition precedent to acceptance
 (7) An offer lapses by subsequent illegality or destruction of subject
matter.
3 July 2019
The Acceptance
48
 A contract, as already observed, emerges from the

acceptance of an offer Sec. 2(b) states that “A
proposal when accepted becomes a promise”
and defines ‘acceptance’ as “when the person to
whom the proposal is made signifies his
assent thereto, the proposal is said to be
accepted”. Thus, ‘acceptance; is the manifestation
by the offeree of his assent to his assent to the terms
of the offer.
 Legal Rules Regarding a Valid Acceptance:
3 July 2019
Legal Rules Regarding a Valid Acceptance
49
 A valid acceptance must be in conformity with following rules:

 (1) Acceptance must be given only by the person to whom the
offer is made.
 Illustration: A sold his business to his manager B without disclosing the
fact to his customer C a customer, who had a running account with A. C
sent an order for the supply of goods to A by name, B received the order
and executed the same. C refused to pay the price. It was held that there
was no contract between B and C because C never made any offer to B and
as such C was not liable to pay the price to B. (Boulton Vs Jones)
 (2) Acceptance must be absolute and unqualified {Sec. 7(1)}. In
order to be legally effective it must be an absolute and unqualified
acceptance of all the terms of the offer. Even the slightest deviation form
the terms of the offer makes the acceptance invalid. In effect a deviated
acceptance is regarded as a counter offer by law.
 Illustration: L offered to M his scooter for Rs. 4000, M accepted the
offer and tendered Rs. 3900 cash down. Promising to pay the balance of Rs.
100 by the evening. There is no contract, as the acceptance was not
absolute and unqualified.
3 July 2019
Legal Rules Regarding a Valid Acceptance Contd..
50
 (3) Acceptance must be expressed in some usual and

reasonable manner, unless the proposal prescribes the
manner in which it is to be accepted {Sec. 7(2)}
 (4) Acceptance must be communicated by the acceptor
 (5) Acceptance must be given within a reasonable time and
before the offer lapses and / or is revoked
 (6) Acceptance must succeed the offer. Acceptance must be
given after receiving the offer. It should not precede the offer. In a
company shares were allotted to a person who had not applied for
them. Subsequently he applied for shares being unaware of the
previous allotment. It was held that the allotment of shares previous
to the application was invalid.
 (7) Rejected offers can be accepted only, if renewed. Offer
once rejected cannot be accepted again unless a fresh offer is made.
3 July 2019
Consideration
51
 Section 2(d) of the Indian Contract Act defines consideration as follows: “When at
the desire of the promisor, the promisee or any other person has done or
abstained from doing, or does or abstains from doing, or pormises to do
or to abstain form doing, something, such act or abstinence or promise is
called a consideration for the promise”.
 An analysis of the above definition will show that it consists of the following four
components:
 (a) the act or abstinence or promise which forms the consideration for the promise,
must be done at the desire of the promisor
 (b) it must be done by the promisee or any other person
 (c) it may have been already executed or is in the process of being done or may
be still executory
 (d) it must be something to which the law attaches a value
 Illustration: (a) A agrees to sell his house to B for Rs. 10000. here B’s promise to
pay the sum of Rs. 10000 is the consideration for A’s promise to sell the house, and
A’s promise to sell the house if the consideration for B’s promise to pay the sum of Rs.
10000
 (b) A promises to maintain B’s child and B promises to pay Rs. 1000 yearly for the
purpose. Here the promise of each party is the consideration for the promise of the
other party.
3 July 2019
Essentials of Valid Consideration
52
 The four component parts of the definition of consideration (given

above) may well be described as the essentials of valid
consideration.
 (1) Consideration must move at the desire of the promisor.
In order to constitute legal consideration, the act or abstinence
forming the consideration for the promise must be done at the
desire or request of the pormisor. Thus acts done or services
rendered voluntarily, or at the desire of third party, will not amount
to valid consideration so as to support a contract
 Illustration: (a) A sees B’s house on fire and helps in
extinguishing it. He cannot demand payment for his services
because B never asked him to come for help
 It must be noted that this essential does not require that the
consideration must confer ‘some benefit’ on the promisor. It would
be enough if the act or forbearance or promise constituting the
consideration was done or given at the promisor’s request, the
benefit may accrue to a third party.
3 July 2019
Essentials of Valid Consideration contd..
53
 (2) Consideration may move from the promisee or any other
person. The second essential of valid consideration, as contained in the
definition of conderation in Sec. 2(d), is that consideration need not move
form the promisee alone but may proceed form a third person . Thus as
long as there is a consideration for a promise, it is immaterial who has
furnished it. It may move form the promisee or form any other person. This
means that even a stranger to the consideration can sue on the
contract, provided he is a party to the contract. This is sometimes called as
‘Doctrine of Constructive Consideration’.
 A stranger to a contract cannot sue. A person may be a stranger to the
consideration but he should not be a stranger to the contract because
‘privity of contract’ is essential for enforcing any of the rights arising out
of the contract. It being a fundamental principle of the law of contracts that
‘a stranger to a contract cannot sue, only a person who is a party
to a contract can sue on it. Thus, where A mortgages his property to B
in consideration of B’s promise to A to pay A’s debt to C, C cannot file a
suit against B to enforce his promise, C being no party to the contract
between A and B (Iswaram Pillai Vs Sonnivarveru)
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54
 Exceptions: The above rule that ‘a stranger to a contract cannot sue’ is subject to the
following exceptions:
 (a) Where as express or implied trust is created. In case of a trust the beneficiary can
sue in his own right to enforce his rights under the trust, though he was not a party to the
contract between the settler and the trustees
 (b) Family Settlement. A daughter along with her husband entered into a contract with her
father whereby it was agreed that she will maintain her mother and the property of the father
will be conveyed to them. The daughter subsequently refuses to maintain the mother. On a suit
it was held that the mother was entitled to require her daughter to maintain her, though she
was a stranger to the contract (Veeramma V/s Appayya)
 (c) When the defendant constitutes himself, as the agent of the third party. Thus if
A receives some money form B to paid over to C and he admits of this receipt to C, then C can
recover this amount form A who shall be regarded as the agent of C (Surjan V/s Nanat)
 (d) In case of Agency. Where a contract is entered into by an agent, the principan can sue
on it
 (e) In case of assignment of rights under a contract. In favour of a third party either
voluntarily or by operation of law, the assignee can enforce the benefits of the contract, e.g.,
the assignee of an insurance policy or the offical assignee on the insolvency of a person can
sue on the contract even though originally they were not parties to it.
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55
 (3) Consideration may be past, present or future. The words, “has done or abstained form
doing; or does or abstains form doing; or promises to do or to abstain form doing”, used in the
definition of consideration clearly indicate that the consideration may consist of either something
done or not done in the past, or done or not done in the present, or promised to be done or not
done in the future. The put it briefly, consideration may consists of a past, present or future act or
abstinence.
 Illustration: A teaches the son of B at B’s request in the month of January, an in February B
promises to pay A a sum of Rs. 200 for his services. The services of A will be past consideration.
 A lawyer, gave up his practice and served as manager of a landlord at the latter’s request in lieu of
which the landlord subsequently promised a person. It was held that there was good past
consideration. (Shiv Saran V/s Kesho Prasad)
 (4) Consideration must be ‘something for value”. It must be ‘something’ to which the law
attaches a value. The consideration need not be adequate to the promise for the validity of an
agreement, the law only insists on the presence of consideration and not the adequacy of it. It
leaves the people free to make their own bargains.
 (a) The consideration must be real
 (b) Physically impossible
 (c)Legally impossible
 (d) Uncertain consideration
 (e) Illusory consideration. Again, an illusory of deceptive consideration dose not amount to a valid
consideration. Consideration is illusory if it consists in a promise to perform a public duty, or to
perform a contract already make with the promisor.
3 July 2019
Exceptions to the Rule. “No Consideration, No Contract”
56
 Consideration being one of the essential elements of a valid contract the general rule
is that “an agreement made without consideration is void. But, there are a few
exceptions to the rule, where an agreement without consideration will be perfectly
valid and binding. These exception are as follows:
 (1) Agreement made on account of natural love and affection {Sec.25(1)}.
An agreement made without consideration is enforceable if, it is (i) Expressed in
writing and (ii) registered under the law for the time being in force for the registration
of documents, and is (iii) made on account of natural love and affection (iv) between
parties standing in a near relation to each other. Thus there are four essential
requirements which must be complied with to enforce an agreement made without
consideration, as per Sec. 25(i)
 Illustration: (a) A promises, for no consideration, to give to B Rs. 1000. this is void
agreement.
 (b) A for natural love and affection, promises to give his son B, Rs. 1000. A puts his
promise to B into writing and registers it. This is a contract.
 It should however be noted that mere existence of a near relation between the parties
does not necessarily import natural love and affection. Thus where a Hindu husband,
after referring to quarrels and disagreement between him and his wife, executed a
registered document in favour of his wife, agreeing to pay for separate residence and
maintenance, it was held that the agreement was void for want of consideration
because it was not made out of natural love and affection. (Rajlakhi Devi V/s
Bhootnath)
3 July 2019
Exceptions to the Rule. “No Consideration, No Contract” Contd...
57
 (2) Agreement to compensate for past voluntary

service {Sec. 25(2)}. A promise made without
consideration is also valid, if it is a promise to compensate,
wholly or in part, a person who has already voluntarily done
something for the promisor, or done something which the
promisor was legally compellable to do.
 Illustration: (a) A finds B’s purse and gives it to him. B
promises to give A Rs. 50. This is a contract
 (b) A supports B’s infant son. B promises to pay A’s expenses
in so doing. This is a contract. (Note that B was legally bound
to support his infant son)
 (c) A rescued B form drowning in the river, and B,
appreciating the service that has been rendered, promises to
pay Rs. 1000 to A. There is a contract between A and B.
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 (3) Agreement to pay a time-barred debt {Sec. 25(3)}. Where there is an

agreement, made in writing and signed by the debtor or by his authorised agent, to
pay wholly or in part a debt barred by the law of limitation, the agreement is valid
even though it is not supported by any consideration. A time barred debt cannot be
recovered and therefore a promise to repay such a debt is without consideration,
hence the importance of the present exception.
 But before the exception can apply, it is necessary that:
 (i) the debt must be such of which the creditor might have enforced payment but for
the law for the limitation of suits
 (ii) the promisor himself must be liable for the debt. So a promissory note executed by
a widow in her personal capacity in payment of time-barred debt of her husband
cannot be brought within the exception (Pestonji V/s Maherbai)
 (iii) there must be an ‘express promise to pay’ a time barred debt as distinguished
form a mere ‘acknowledgement of a liability’ in respect of a debt. Thus a debtor’s letter
to his creditor. “I owe you Rs. 1000 on account of my time-barred promissory note” is
not a contract. There must be a distinct promise to pay; and
 (iv) the promise must be in writing and signed by the debtor or his agent. An oral
promise to pay a time-barred debt is unenforceable.
 The logic behind this exception is that by lapse of time the debt is not destroyed by
only the remedy is lost. The remedy is revived by a new promise under the exception.
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 (4) Completed gift. A gift (which is not an agreement) does not require
consideration in order to be valid. “As between the donor and the donee, any gift
actually made will be valid and binding even though without consideration”
(Explanation 1, to Section 25). In order to attract this exception there need not be
natural love and affection or nearness of relationship between the donor and donee.
The gift must, however, be complete.
 (5) Contract of agency. (Sec. 185) of the Contract Act lays down that what
consideration is necessary to create an agency.
 (6) Remission by the promisee, of performance of the promise (Sec. 63).
For compromising a due debt, i.e., agreement to accept less than what is due, no
consideration is necessary. In other words, a creditor can agree to give up a part of his
claim and there need be no consideration for such an agreement. Similarly, an
agreement to extend time for performance of a contract need not be supported by
consideration (Sec 63)
 (7) Contribution to charity. A promise to contribute to charity, though gratuitous,
would be enforceable, if on the faith of the promised subscription, the promisee takes
definite steps in furtherance of the object and undertakes a liability, to the extent of
liability incurred, not exceeding the promised amount of subscription.
3 July 2019
I Capacity of Parties
60
 An essential ingredient of a valid contract is that the

contracting parties must be ‘Competent to Contract’ (Sec. 10).
Sec. 11 lays down that “every person is competent to contract
who is of the age of majority according to the law to which he
is subject, and who is of sound mind, and is not disqualified
form contracting by any law to which he is subject”. Thus the
Sec. declares that a person is incompetent to contract under
the following circumstances:
 (1) If he is a minor, according to the law to which he is subject,
 (2) If he is of unsound mind, and
 (3) If he is disqualified from contracting by any law to which
he is subject.
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I Capacity of Parties Contd..
61
 (1) Minor: According to Sec.3 of the Indian Majority Act 1875, a person, domiciled India, who is under 18 years
of age is a minor. Accordingly every person who has completed the age of 18 years becomes a major. But minors
of whose person or property or both a guardian is appointed by a court, and minors of whose property
superintendence has been assumed by a Court of Wards1, (1Under the Court of Wards Act, estates of incompetent persons like minors or
lunatics can be placed under the guardianship of the Court of Wards) attain majority at the age of 21 years.
 Minor’s Agreement
 (1) An agreement by a minor is absolutely void and inoperative as against him. Law acts as the
guardian of minors and protects their rights, because their mental faculties are not mature – they don’t possess
the capacity to judge what is good and what is bad for them.
 (2) Beneficial agreements are valid contract. As observed earlier, the court protects the rights of minors.
Accordingly, any agreement which is of some benefit to the minor and under which he is required to bear no
obligation, is valid.
 (3) No ratification on attaining the age of majority. Ratification means the subsequent adoption and
acceptance of an act or agreement. A minors agreement being a nullity and void ab-initio has no existence in the
eye of law.
 (4) The rule of estoppel does not apply to minor: Sec. 115 of the Indian Evidence Act explains
“Estoppel” as; “Where one person has, by his declaration, act or omission, intentionally caused or permitted
another person to believe a thing to be true and to act upon such belief neither he nor his representatives shall be
allowed, in any suit or proceeding between himself and such person or his representative, to deny the truth of
that thing” “Estoppel arises when you are precluded from denying the truth of anything, which you have
represented as a fact, although it is not a fact”.
 In the words of Lord Halsbuty “Estoppel arises when you are precluded from denying the truth of anything,
which you have represented as a fact, although it is not a fact”
3 July 2019
I Capacity of Parties Contd..
62
 (5) Minor’s liability for necessaries. The case of necessaries supplied to a minor is governed
by Sec. 68 of the contract Act which provides that “if a person, incapable of entering into a contra
ct, or any one whom he is legally bound to support,
 (6) Specific performance. Specific performance means the actual carrying out of the contract
as agreed
 (7) Minor partner. A minor being incompetent to contract cannot be a partner in a partnership
firm, but Sec. 30 of the Indian Partnership Act, he can be admitted to the ‘benefits of partnership’
 (8) Minor agent. A minor can be an agent. (Sec. 184)
 (9) Minor and insolvency. A minor can not be adjucated an insolvent for, he is incapable of
contracting debts
 (10) Contract by minor and adult jointly. (minor is liable but the contract as a whole can be
enforced against the adult)
 (11) Surety for a minor (the adult is liable to the minor)
 (12) Position of minor’s parents. (Parents of minors are not responsible for the contract
made by minor)
 (13) Minor shareholders. (minor being a incompetent can not enter into a contract)
 (14) Minor’s Liability is tort. A tort is a civil wrong, for which the ordinary remedy is
damages. A minor is liable for his tort, unless the tort is in reality a breach of contract.
3 July 2019
II Persons of Unsound Mind
63
 As stated earlier, as per Sec. 11 of the Contract Act, for a valid contract, it is necessary
that each party to it must have a ‘sound mind’.
 What is a ‘Sound Mind’? Sec. 12 of the Contract Act defines the term ‘Sound
Mind’ as follows: “A person is said to be of sound mind for the purpose of
making a contract, if at the time when he makes it, he is capable of
understanding it and of forming a rational judgment as to its effects upon
his interests”.
 According to this section, therefore, the person entering into the contract must be a
person who understands what he is doing and is able to form a rational judgment as
whether what he is about to do is to his interest or not. The section further states
that:
 (i) “A person who is usually of unsound mind, but occasionally of sound mind, may
make a contract when he is of sound mind”. Thus a patient in a lunatic asylum, who
is at intervals of sound mind, may contract during those intervals.
 (ii) “A person who is usually of sound mind, but occasionally of unsound mind, may
not make a contract when he is of unsound mind”. Thus a sane man, who is delirious
form fever, or who is so drunk that he cannot understand the terms of a contract, or
form a rational judgment as to its effect on his interest, cannot contract whilst such
delirium or drunkenness lasts.
3 July 2019
III Disqualified Persons
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 The third type of incompetent persons, as per Sec.11, are those who are “disqualified from contracting by any law to which
they are subject”.
 (a) Alien enemies. An alien (citizen of a foreign country) living in India can enter into contracts with citizens of India
during peace time only, and that too subject to any restrictions imposed by the Government in that respect.
 (b) Foreign Sovereigns and ambassadors. One has to be cautious while entering into contracts with foreign
sovereigns and ambassadors, because whereas they can sue others to enforce the contracts entered upon with them, they
cannot be sued without obtaining the prior sanction of the Central Government. Thus they are in privileged position and
are ordinarily considered incompetent to contract.
 (c) Convict. A convict is one who is found guilty and is imprisoned. During the period of imprisonment, a convict is
incompetent (a) to enter into a contracts, and (b) to sue on contracts made before conviction. On the expiry of the
sentence, he is at liberty to institute a suit and the law of limitation is held in abeyance during the period of his sentence.
 (d) Married women. Married women are competent to enter into contracts with respect to their separate properties
(Strdhan) provided they are major and are of sound mind. They cannot enter into contracts with respect to their husbands’
properties. A married women can, however, act as an agent of her husband and bind her husband’s property for necessary
supplied to her, if he fails to provide her with these.
 (e) Insolvent. An adjudged insolvent (before an ‘order of discharge’s is competent to enter into certain types of contracts.
i.e., he can incur debts purchase property or be an employee but he cannot sell his property which vests in the Official
Receiver. Before ‘discharge’ he also suffers form certain disqualifications e.g., can’t be a magistrate or a director of a
company or a member of local body but he has the contractual capacity except with respect to his property. After the ‘order
of discharge’, he is just like an ordinary citizen
 (f) Joint – stock company and corporation incorporated under a special Act (like LIC, UTI). A company /
corporation is an artificial person created by law. It can not enter into contracts outside the powers conferred upon it by its
Memorandum of Association or by the provisions of its special Act, as the case may be. Again, being an artificial person
(and not a nature person) it cannot enter into contracts of a strictly personal nature Example Marriage.
3 July 2019
Free Consent
65
 ‘Consent’ defined. Sec.13 of the Contract Act defines the term ‘Consent’ and lays
down that “Two or more persons are said to consent when they agree upon
the same thing in the same sense”. Thus, consent involves identity f minds or
Consensus ad-idem, i.e., agreeing upon the same thing in the same sense. If, for
whatever reason, there is no Consensus ad-idem among the contracting parties,
there is no real consent and hence no valid contract.
 ‘Free Consent’ defined. Sec.14 lays down that “Consent is said to be ‘free’ when it
is not caused by –
 (1) Coercion, as defined in Sec.15, or
 (2) Undue influence, as defined in Sec.16, or
 (3) Misrepresentation, as defined in Sec.18, or
 (4) Fraud, as defined in Sec.17, or
 (5) Mistake, Subject to provisions of Sec.20. 21 and 22”
 “Consent is said to be so caused when it would not have been given but for the
existence of such coercion, undue influence, misrepresentation, fraud or mistake”
(Sec.14). This means that in order to bring a case within this Section, the party, who
alleges that his consent has been caused by any of the above elements which vitiate
consent, must show that, but for the vitiating circumstance the agreement would not
have been entered into. To put it differently, in order to prove that his consent is ‘not
free’, the complainant must prove that if he had known the truth, or had not been
forced to agree, he would not have entered into the contract.
3 July 2019
Free Consent - Coercion Contd…
66
 Coercion: Sec. 15 of the Contract Act defines ‘Coercion’ as follows; “Coercion is the
committing or threatening to commit, any act forbidden by the IPC, or the unlawful
detaining or threatening to detain, any property, to the prejudice of any person
whatever, with the intention of causing any person to enter into an agreement”,
 Illustration: (i) A madrasi gentleman died leaving a young widow. The relatives of the deceased
threatened the widow to adopt a boy otherwise they would not allow her to remove the dead body
of her husband for cremation. The widow adopted the boy and subsequently applied for
cancellation of the adoption. It was held that her consent was not free but induced by coercion, as
any person who obstructed a dead body from being removed for cremation, would be guilty of an
offence under Sec. 297 of the IPC. The adoption was set aside (Ranganayakamma v/s Alwar Setti)
 (ii) L threatens to shoot M, if he does not let out his house to him. M agrees to let out his house
to L. The consent of M has been induced by coercion.
 Threat to file a suit. To threaten a criminal or civil prosecution does not constitute coercion
because it is not an act forbidden by the IPC. But a threat to file a suit on a false charge
constitutes coercion, for such an act is forbidden by the IPC (Askari Mirza V/s Bibi Jai Kishori)
 Threat to commit suicide. Neither ‘Suicide’ nor ‘threat to commit suicide’ is punishable
under IPC; only ‘an attempt to commit suicide’ is punishable under it. In Chikkam Ammiraju
V/s Chikkam Seshamma, there arose a question as to whether ‘a threat to commit suicide’
amounts to coercion, and their Lordships of the Madras High Court answered the question in the
affirmative holding that this amounts to coercion.
3 July 2019
Free Consent – Undue Influence Contd…
67
 Undue Influence: Sec. 16(1) defines the terms ‘Undue Influence’ as follows: “A contract is
said to be induced by undue influence where, (i) the relations subsisting between
the parties are such that one of the parties is in a position to dominate the will of
the other, and (ii) he uses the position to obtain an unfair advantage over the
other”.
 The phrase “in a position to dominate the will of the other” is clarified by the same
section under sub-section (2).
 Thus: Sec. 16(2). A person is deemed to be in a position to dominate the will of
another –
 (a) where he holds a real or apparent authority over the other. Example: The relationship b/w
master and the servant, police officer and the accused; or
 (b) where he stands in a fiduciary relation to the other. Fiduciary relation means a relation of
mutual trust and confidence
 (c) where he makes a contract with a person whose mental capacity is temporarily
or permanently affected by reasons of age, illness, or mental or bodily distress.
Example: Old illiterate persons.
 Presumption of Undue Influence:
 Husband and Wife
 Mother and daughter
 Grandson and grandfather
 Landlord and tenant
 Creditor and debtor
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Free Consent – Misrepresentation Contd…
68
 Misrepresentation: A representation means a statement of fact made by

one party to the other either before or at the time of contract, relating to
some matter essential to the formation of the contract, with an intention to
induce the other party to enter into the contract. It may be expressed by
words spoken or written or implied form the acts or conducts of the parties
(Example: by any half statement of truth) A representation when wrongly
made, either innocently or intentionally, is termed as a misrepresentation.
According to Sec.18 ‘Misrepresentation’ means and include
 (a) the positive assertion, in a manner not warranted by the information of
the person making it, of that which is not truth, though he believes it to be
true; or
 (b) any breach of duty which, without an intent to deceive, gains an
advantage to the person committing it, or any one claming under him, by
misleading another to his prjudice or to the prejudice or any one claiming
under him; or
 (c) 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.
3 July 2019
Free Consent – Fraud Contd…
69
 Fraud: The term ‘fraud’ includes all acts committed by a person with an intention to deceive
another person. According to Sec. 17, ‘fraud means and includes any of the following acts
committed by a party to a contract, or with his connivance, or by his agent, with intent to deceive
or to induce another party thereto or his agent, to enter into the contract:
 (1) The suggestion that a fact is true when it is not true by one who does not believe it to be true
 (2) The active concealment of a fact by a person who has 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
 Can Silence be Fraudulent? The explanation to Sec.17 deals with cases as to when ‘Silence is
fraudulent’ or what is sometimes called ‘constructive fraud’. The explanation declares that “mere
silence as to facts likely to affect the willingness of a person to enter into a contract is not fraud,
unless –
 (i) The circumstances of the case are such that, regard being had to them, it is the duty of the
person keeping silence to speak, or
 (ii) Silence is, in itself, equivalent to speech”. – it therefore follows that –
 (1) As a rule mere silence is not fraud because there is no duty cast by law on a party to a
contract to make a disclosure to the other party, of material facts within his knowledge
 (2) Silence is fraudulent, if the circumstances of the case are such that ‘it is the duty
of the person keeping silence to speak’.
 (3) Silence id fraudulent where the circumstances are such that ‘Silence is, in itself,
equivalent to speech’.
3 July 2019
Free Consent – Mistake Contd…
70
 Mistake may be defined as an erroneous belief concerning something. It may be of 2
kinds;
 (1) MISTAKE OF LAW: may be of 2 types
 (a) Mistake of Law of the Country or Mistake of Law: Every one is deemed
to be conversant with the law of his country, and hence the maxim ‘ignorance of law is
no excuse.’ Mistake of law, therefore, is no excuse and it does not give right to the
parties to avoid the contract. Stating the effects of mistake as to law, Sec.21 declares
that “a contract is not voidable because it was caused by a mistake as to any law in
force in India”. Accordingly, no relief can be granted on the ground of mistake of law
or the country.
 Illustration: A and B make a contract grounded on the erroneous belie that a
particular debt is barred by the Indian Law of Limitation; the contract is not voidable
(i.e., the contract is valid)
 (b) Mistake of foreign law: Mistake of foreign law stands on the same footing as
the ‘mistake of fact’. Here the agreement is void in case of ‘bilateral mistake’ only, as
explained under the subsequent heading.
 (2) MISTAKE OF FACT: may be of 2 types
 (a) Bilateral Mistake: Where the parties to an agreement misunderstood each
other and are at cross purposes, there is a bilateral mistake.
 (b) Unilateral Mistake: Where only one of the contracting parties is mistaken as
to a matter of fact, the mistake is a unilateral mistake.
3 July 2019
Legality of Object and Consideration
71
 The object or consideration of an agreement must be lawful, in order to make the
agreement a valid contract, for, Sec.10 lays down that all agreements are contracts if
made for lawful consideration and with a lawful object. Sec.23 declares what kinds
of consideration and objects are not lawful. If the object or consideration is
unlawful for one or the other of the reasons mentioned in Sec.23, the agreement is
‘illegal’ and therefore void (Sec.23).
 The use of the word ‘illegal’ is somewhat misnomering here. It usually connotes a
punishable offence, but the parties to a so called “illegal agreements”, unless it
is expressly punishable by law or amounts to a criminal conspiracy, are not liable to
punishment. They have committed no offence. They have merely concluded a
transaction that will be spurned by the courts.
 The words ‘object’ and ‘consideration’ used in Sec.23 are not synonymous. The
word ‘object’ here means ‘purpose or design’. Thus where a person, while in
insolvent circumstances, transferred his property to one of his creditors with the
object of defrauding his other creditors, it was held that the agreement was void and
the transfer was inoperative. (Jaffar Meher Ali V/s Budge Budge Jute Mills Co.).
The court observed that although the consideration of the contract was lawful but
the object was unlawful because the purpose of the parties was to defeat the
provisions of the Insolvency Law. 3 July 2019
Legality of Object and Consideration Contd..
72
 What Consideration and Objects are Unlawful?: According to Sec. 23, every
agreement of which the object or consideration is unlawful is void, and the
consideration or the object of an agreement is unlawful in the following cases:
 (1) If it is forbidden by law. This clause refers to agreements which are declared
illegal by law. If the consideration or object for a promise is such as forbidden by
law, the agreement is void. An act or an undertaking is forbidden by law: (a) When
it is punishable by the criminal law of the country, or (b) When it is prohibited by
special legislation or regulations made by a competent authority under powers
derived from the legislature.
 (2) If it is of such a nature that, if permitted, it would defeat the
provisions of any law. This clause refers to cases where the object or
consideration of an agreement is of such a nature that, though not directly forbidden
by law, it would indirectly lend to a violation of law, whether enacted or otherwise.
(e.g., Hindu and Mohammedan Laws). Such an agreement is also void.
 (3) If it fraudulent. An agreement whose object or consideration is to defraud
others, is unlawful and hence void
 (4) If it involves or implies injury to the person or property of an other.
If the object or consideration of an agreement is injury to the person or property of
another, it is void, being an unlawful agreement.
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Legality of Object and Consideration Contd..
73
 (5) If the court regards it as immoral. An agreement whose object or

consideration is immoral, is illegal and therefore void. The scope of the word
‘immoral’ here extends to the following:
 (i) Sexual immorality, e.g., illicit cohabitation or concbinage or prostitution.
Illustration: 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 IPC.
 (ii) Furtherance of Sexual immorality. Illustration: (a) A prostitute was
sued for the hire money of a carriage in which she used to go every evening in order
to make a display of her beauty and thus to attract customers. The suit was
dismissed on the ground that the plaintiff contributed towards the performance of
an immoral and illegal act and hence he was liable to suffer (Pearce V/s Brooks)
 (b) A man who knowingly lets out his house for prostitution cannot recover rent, it
being an act for furtherance of sexual immorality (Choga Lal V/s Piyasi). The land
lord may, however, recover if he did not know the purpose.
 (6) If the court regards it as ‘opposed to public policy’. An agreement is
unlawful if the court regards it as ‘opposed to public policy’. It is not possible to give
a precise or exact definition of the term ‘public policy’.
3 July 2019
Discharge of Contract
74
 When the rights and obligations arising out of a contract are extinguished, the contract is said to
be discharged or terminated. A contract may be discharged in any of the following ways:
 (1) By performance – actual or attempted
 (2) By mutual consent or agreement
 (3) By subsequent or supervening impossibility or illegality
 (4) By lapse of time
 (5) By operation of law
 (6) By breach of contract
 (1) Discharge by performance: Performance of a contract is the principal and most usual
mode of discharge of a contract. Performance may by:
 (i) Actual Performance: When each party to a contract fulfils his obligation arising under the
contract within the time and in the manner prescribed, it amounts to actual performance of the
contract and the contract comes to an end or stands discharged. But if one party only performace
his promise, he alone is discharged. Such a party gets a right of action against the other party who
is guilty of breach. OR
 (ii) Attempted performance or tender: When the promisor offers to perform his obligation
under the contract, but is unable to do so because the promisee does not accept the perofrmance,
it is called “attempted performance” or “tender”. Thus ‘tender’ is not actual performance
but is only an “offer to perform” the obligation under the contract. A valid tender or
performance is equivalent to performance.
3 July 2019
Discharge of Contract Contd..
75
 (2) Discharge by Mutual Consent or Agreement:
 (i) Novation: “Novation occurs when a new contract is substituted for an existing
contract, either between the same parties or between different parties, the
consideration mutually being the discharge of the old contract”
 (ii) Alteration: Alteration of a contract means change in one or more of the
material terms of a contract.
 (iii) Rescission: A contract may be discharged, before the date of performance, by
agreement between the parties to the effect that it shall no longer bind them. Such an
agreement amounts to “rescission” or cancellation of the contract, the consideration
for mutual promises being the abandonment by the respective parties of their rights
under the contract.
 (iv) Remission: Remission may be defined “as the acceptance of a lesser sum than
what was contracted for or a lesser fulfillment of the promise made”.
 (v) Waiver: Waiver means the deliberate abandonment or giving up of a right which
a party is entitled to under a contract, where upon the other party to the contract is
released form his obligation. Strictly speaking there is no need of an agreement for a
waiver but because we are discussing it as a method of discharge under ‘mutual
consent’, we presume that the other party consents to it.
3 July 2019
76
 (3) Discharge by Subsequent or Supervening Impossibility or

Illegality: Impossibility at the time of contract. There is no question
of discharge of a contract which is entered into perform some thing that is
obliviously impossible, Example: an agreement to discover treasure by
magic, because, in such a case there is no contract to terminate, it being an
agreement void ab-initio by virtue of Sec.56, para 1, which provides: “an
agreement to do an act impossible in itself is void”.
 Cases where the doctrine of supervening impossibility applies:
 (a) Destruction of Subject-matter
 (b) Failure of ultimate purpose
 (c) Death or personal incapacity of promisor
 (d) Change of Law
 (e) Outbreak of war
 Cases not covered by Supervening Impossibility
 (a) Difficulty of performance
 (b) Commercial impossibility
 (c) Impossibility due to the default of a third person
 (d) Strikes and lock-outs
 (e) Failure of one of the objects
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77
 (4) Discharge by Lapse of Time: The Limitation Act lays down that in case
of breach of a contract legal action should be taken within a specified period,
called the period of limitation. Otherwise the promisee is debarred from
instituting a suite in a court of law and the contract stands, discharged.
 (5) Discharge of Operation of Law: A contract terminates by operation of
law in the following cases:
 (a) Death
 (b) Insolvency
 (c) Merger
 (d) Unauthorized material alteration
 (6) Discharge by Breach of Contract: Breach of contract by a party thereto

is also method of discharge of a contract, because “breach” also brings to an
end the obligations created by a contract on the part of each of the parties. Off
course the aggrieved party i.e., the party not a fault can sue for damages for
breach of contract as per law; but the contract as such stands terminated.
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 Breach of contract may be of two kinds: (a) Anticipatory breach
and (b) Actual Breach.
 (a) Anticipatory Breach: An anticipatory breach of contract is a breach of
contract occurring before the time fixed for performance has arrived. It may
take place in two ways
 (i) Expressly by words spoken or written. Here a party to the contract
communicates to the other party, before the due of performance, his
intention not to perform it.
 (ii) Impliedly by the conduct of one of the parties. Here a party by his
own voluntary act disables himself form performing the contract. For
example: A person contracts to sell a particular horse to another on 1st June
and before that date he sells the horse to somebody else
 (b) Actual Breach: Actual breach may also discharge a contract. It occurs
when a party fails to perform his obligation upon the date fixed for
performance by the contract, as for example; where on the appointed day the
seller does not deliver the goods or the buyer refuses to accept the delivery.
3 July 2019
Remedies for Breach of Contract
79
 Whenever there is breach of contract, the injured

party becomes entitled to any one or more of the
following remedies against the guilty party:
 (1) Rescission of the contract
 (2) Suit for damages
 (3) Suit upon quantum meruit
 (4) Suit for specific performance of the contract
 (5) Suit for an injunction
 As regards the last two remedies stated above, the
law is regulated by the Specific Relief Act, 1963.
3 July 2019
Remedies for Breach of Contract Contd…
80
 (1) Rescission of the contract: When there is a breach of contract by

one party, the other party may rescind the contract and need not perform
his part of obligation under the contract and may sit quietly at home if he
decides not to take any legal action against the guilty party. But in case the
aggrieved party intends to sue the guilty party for damages for breach of
contract, he has to file a suit for rescission of the contract. When the court
grants rescission, the aggrieved party is freed from all his obligations under
the contract; and becomes entitled to compensation for any damages which
he has sustained through the nonfulfilment of the contract (Sec. 75)
 Illustration: A contracts to supply 100 kgs of tea leaves for Rs. 8000/- to
B on 15th April. If A does not supply the tea leaves on the appointed day, B
need not pay the price. B may treat the contract as rescinded and may sit
quietly at home. B may also file a ‘suit for rescission’ on claim damages.
 Thus applying to the court for ‘rescission of the contract’ is necessary for
claiming damages for breach or for availing any other remedy. In practice a
‘suit for rescission’ is accompanied by a ‘suit for damages’. Etc., in the same
plaint.
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81
 (2) Suit for Damages: Damages are a monetary compensation allowed to the injured party for
the loss or injury suffered by him as a result of the breach of contract
 Different kinds of Damages:
 (a) Ordinary Damages: When a contract has been broken, the injured party can, as a rule,
always recover from the guilty party ordinary or general damages. These are such damages as
may fairly and reasonably be considered as arising naturally and directly in the usual course
of things form the breach of contract itself.
 (b) Special Damages: Special damages are those which arise on account of the special or
unusual circumstances affecting the plaintiff. In other words, they are such remote losses
which are not the natural and probable consequence of the breach of contract.
 (c) Exemplary or Vindictive Damages: These are such damages which are awarded with
a view to punishing the guilty party for the breach and not by way of compensation for the loss
suffered by the aggrieved party.
 (i) Breach of a contract to marry
 (ii) Dishonour of a cheque by a banker when there are sufficient funds to the
credit of the customer
 (d) Nominal Damages: Nominal damages are those which are those which are awarded
only for the name sake. These are neither awarded by way of compensation to the aggrieved
party nor by way of punishment to the guilty party.
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 (3) Suit Upon Quantum Meruit (Sec. 65 and 70):

The third remedy for a breach of contract available to an
injured party against the guilty party is to file a suit upon
quantum meruit. The phrase quantum meruit literally
means “as much as is earned” or “in proportion to the
work done”.
 (4) Suit for Specific Performance: Specific
performance means the actual carrying out of the
contract as agreed. Under certain circumstance an
aggrieved party may file a suit for specific performance,
i.e., for a decree by the court directing the defendant to
actually perform the promise that he has made.
 (5) Suit for an Injuction: ‘Injuction’ is an order of a
court restraining a person from doing a particular act.
3 July 2019
Test Questions
83
 (1) “An agreement enforceable by law is contract”. Discuss the

definition and bring out clearly the essentials of a valid contract.
 (2) “All contracts are agreements, but all agreements are not
contract”. Discuss the statement explaining the essential elements
of a valid contract.
 (3) “The law of contracts is not the whole law of agreements, nor is
it the whole law of obligations” (Salmond) Comment.
 (4) Discuss the essential elements of a valid contract
 (5) What do you understand by the term ‘void’ and ‘voidable’
contracts? Discuss the rights and obligations of the parties to a void
contract and to a voidable contract after its rescission
 (6) Distinguish between: (a) Void and Voidable contracts, (b) void
agreements and Void contract, and (c) void and illegal agreements
 (7) Write short notes on: (a) Implied contract, (b) Quasi Contract (c)
Executed contract, and (d) Bilateral contract
3 July 2019
Test Questions Contd…
84
 (8) Define the term ‘offer’. Explain the legal rules regarding a valid offer
 (9) “An invitation to offer is not an offer”. Elucidate the statement
 (10) Discuss the circumstances under which an offer lapses and stands
revoked. Give examples
 (11) What do you understand by the term ‘acceptance’? What are the
essentials of a valid acceptance?
 (12) “A mere mental acceptance, not evidenced, by words or conduct is, in
the eye of law, no acceptance”. Explain by giving examples
 (13) Discuss briefly the law relating to communication of offer, acceptance
and revocation. Is there any limit of time after which offer and acceptance
cannot be revoked?
 (14)Define offer and acceptance. When are offer and acceptance deemed to
be complete if made through post?
 (15) “Acceptance is to an offer what a lighted match is to a train of gun
powder. It produces something which cannot be recalled or undone” –
Anson, comment on the statement and briefly discuss the essentials of a
valid offer and acceptance.
3 July 2019
85
 (16) Define consideration. How far is it necessary for the

validity of a contract. Critically discuss the essential elements
of consideration.
 (17) Explain the term consideration and state the exceptions
to the rule – ‘No consideration, no contract’.
 (18) “insufficiency of consideration is immaterial; but an
agreement without consideration is void”. Explain
 (19) “A stranger to a contract cannot sue”. Discuss. Are there
any exceptions to this rule?
 (20) “A stranger to the consideration can sue but a stranger to
contract cannot sue”. Explain.
 (21) “Consideration need not be adequate but it must have
some value in the eye of law”. Explain
 (22) “No consideration, no contract”. Explain.
3 July 2019
86
 (23) What do you understand by ‘capacity to contract’? What is the

effect of agreements made by persons of unsound mind?.
 (24) Discuss in detail the provisions of law relating to minor’s
agreements.
 (25) (a) Is a minor bound on his agreement for necessaries? Is he
liable upon a bill of exchange which he ha accepted in payment for
necessaries?
 (b) Can a promise by a person on attaining majority to repay money
lent and advanced to him during his minority be enforced?
 (26) Discuss with suitable illustrations the law relating to validity of
contracts by minors.
 (27) “Apart from minority and unsoundness of mind, the capacity of
a person may be affected by virtue of any special law to which he is
subject”. Comment on the statement.
3 July 2019
87
 (28) “For giving rise to a valid contract, there must be consensus ad-idem
among the contracting parties”. Explain this statement and discuss the
meaning of ‘free consent’.
 (29) When is consent said to be given under coercion? What is the liability
of a person to whom money has been paid or goods have been delivered
under coercion? How coercion differs from undue influence?
 (30) “it is an essential condition for challenging a contract on the basis of
undue influence that one of the parties should be in a position to dominate
the will of the other”. Examine this statement and explain the effect of
undue influence on the validity or otherwise of a contract.
 (31) Define the term ‘misrepresentation’. What is its effect on the validity of
a contract? Distinguish it from fraud.
 (32) Define fraud and point out its effects on the validity of a contract. Give
suitable examples to illustrate your answer.
 (33) “Mere silence as to facts is not fraud”. Explain with illustrations.
 (34) Discuss the law relating to the effect of ‘mistake’ on contracts.
3 July 2019
88
 (35) In what cases the object and consideration of an

agreement are said to be unlawful under the contract Act?
Illustrate with examples.
 (36) What do you understand by an illegal agreement? What
is the effect of illegal agreements on collateral transactions?
 (37)”An agreement is illegal and shall not be enforced if the
court regards it as immoral”. Comment.
 (38) Discuss the doctrine of public policy. Name the various
types of agreements which are considered to be opposed to
public policy. Are the categories of public policy closed?
 (39) Examine the validity of agreements with consideration
and object unlawful in part.
3 July 2019
89
 (40) Discuss briefly expressly declared void agreement under

the Indian Contract Act.
 (41) Discuss the law relating to (a) agreements in restraint of
marriage and (b) uncertain agreements.
 (42) “An agreement in restraint of trade is void”. Discuss the
statement giving exceptions to it, if any.
 (43) What is a wager? Is an agreement by way of wager void or
illegal? Is a contract of insurance a wager?
 (44) What do you understand by performance of a contract?
State who can demand performance and by whom contracts
must be performed?
 (45) State with illustrations the provisions of the Indian
Contract Act relating to the devolution of joint rights and
liabilities.
3 July 2019
90
 (46) State briefly the various modes in which a contract may be

discharged
 (47) What do you mean by ‘attempted performance or tender”?
State the essentials of a valid tender. Discuss the effect of refusal to
accept a valid tender.
 (48) Discuss the law relating to discharge of contract by mutual
consent.
 (49) What are quasi-contracts? Discuss the quasi-contracts dealt
with under the Indian Contract Act.
 (50) “A quasi-contract is not a contract at all. It is an obligation
which the law creates”. Amplify and state the quasi-contracts
recognized under the Indian Contract Act.
 (51) Under the Indian Contract Act, there are “certain relations
resembling those created by a contract”. Explain giving illustrations.
 (52) Discuss the rights and duties of a finder of goods.
3 July 2019
91
 (53) Discuss briefly the remedies for breach of contract

 (54) What principles are applied in order to assess the amount of
damages recoverable for a breach of contract?
 (55) “If a contract is broken, the law will endeavor, so far as money
can do it, to place the injured party in the same position as if the
contract has been performed”. Discuss the statement indicating the
rules which guide the contract in the assessment of damages.
 (56) Explain the terms “Penalty” and “Liquidated damages”. If the
parties to a contract have agreed on the amount of damages payable
in the event of its breach, can the court enhance or reduce that
amount?
 (57) What is meant by suing on quantum meruit? Under what
circumstances a claim on a quantum meruit arise?
 (58) When can an aggrieved party file a suit for ‘specific
performance’ and for an ‘injunction’? Explain and illustrate.
3 July 2019
Thank You!!..
92
QUESTIONS?.
.
3 July 2019
Questions
93
 (1) “An agreement enforceable by law is contract”. Discuss the definition and
bring out clearly the essentials of a valid contract.
 (2) “All contracts are agreements, but all agreements are not contract”.
Discuss the statement explaining the essential elements of a valid contract.
 (3) “The law of contracts is not the whole law of agreements, nor is it the
whole law of obligations” (Salmond) Comment.
 (4) Discuss the essential elements of a valid contract
 (5) What do you understand by the term ‘void’ and ‘voidable’ contracts?
Discuss the rights and obligations of the parties to a void contract and to a
voidable contract after its rescission
 (6) Distinguish between: (a) Void and Voidable contracts, (b) void
agreements and Void contract, and (c) void and illegal agreements
 (7) Write short notes on: (a) Implied contract, (b) Quasi Contract (c)
Executed contract, and (d) Bilateral contract
 (8) Define the term ‘offer’. Explain the legal rules regarding a valid offer
 (9) “An invitation to offer is not an offer”. Elucidate the statement
 (10) Discuss the circumstances under which an offer lapses and stands
revoked. Give examples
3 July 2019
Questions Contd…
94
 (11) What do you understand by the term ‘acceptance’? What are the essentials of a valid
acceptance?
 (12) “A mere mental acceptance, not evidenced, by words or conduct is, in the eye of law, no
acceptance”. Explain by giving examples
 (13) Discuss briefly the law relating to communication of offer, acceptance and revocation. Is
there any limit of time after which offer and acceptance cannot be revoked?
 (14)Define offer and acceptance. When are offer and acceptance deemed to be complete if made
through post?
 (15) “Acceptance is to an offer what a lighted match is to a train of gun powder. It produces
something which cannot be recalled or undone” – Anson, comment on the statement and briefly
discuss the essentials of a valid offer and acceptance.
 (16) Define consideration. How far is it necessary for the validity of a contract. Critically discuss
the essential elements of consideration.
 (17) Explain the term consideration and state the exceptions to the rule – ‘No consideration, no
contract’.
 (18) “insufficiency of consideration is immaterial; but an agreement without consideration is
void”. Explain
 (19) “A stranger to a contract cannot sue”. Discuss. Are there any exceptions to this rule?
 (20) “A stranger to the consideration can sue but a stranger to contract cannot sue”. Explain.
3 July 2019
Questions Contd…
95
 (21) “Consideration need not be adequate but it must have some value in the eye of law”. Explain
 (22) “No consideration, no contract”. Explain
 (23) What do you understand by ‘capacity to contract’? What is the effect of agreements made by
persons of unsound mind?.
 (24) Discuss in detail the provisions of law relating to minor’s agreements.
 (25) (a) Is a minor bound on his agreement for necessaries? Is he liable upon a bill of exchange
which he ha accepted in payment for necessaries?
 (b) Can a promise by a person on attaining majority to repay money lent and advanced to him
during his minority be enforced?
 (26) Discuss with suitable illustrations the law relating to validity of contracts by minors.
 (27) “Apart from minority and unsoundness of mind, the capacity of a person may be affected by
virtue of any special law to which he is subject”. Comment on the statement.
 (28) “For giving rise to a valid contract, there must be consensus ad-idem among the contracting
parties”. Explain this statement and discuss the meaning of ‘free consent’.
 (29) When is consent said to be given under coercion? What is the liability of a person to whom
money has been paid or goods have been delivered under coercion? How coercion differs from
undue influence?
 (30) “it is an essential condition for challenging a contract on the basis of undue influence that
one of the parties should be in a position to dominate the will of the other”. Examine this
statement and explain the effect of undue influence on the validity or otherwise of a contract.
3 July 2019
Questions Contd…
96
 (31) Define the term ‘misrepresentation’. What is its effect on the validity of a
contract? Distinguish it from fraud.
 (32) Define fraud and point out its effects on the validity of a contract. Give suitable
examples to illustrate your answer.
 (33) “Mere silence as to facts is not fraud”. Explain with illustrations.
 (34) Discuss the law relating to the effect of ‘mistake’ on contracts.
 (35) In what cases the object and consideration of an agreement are said to be
unlawful under the contract Act? Illustrate with examples.
 (36) What do you understand by an illegal agreement? What is the effect of illegal
agreements on collateral transactions?
 (37)”An agreement is illegal and shall not be enforced if the court regards it as
immoral”. Comment.
 (38) Discuss the doctrine of public policy. Name the various types of agreements
which are considered to be opposed to public policy. Are the categories of public
policy closed?
 (39) Examine the validity of agreements with consideration and object unlawful in
part.
 (40) Discuss briefly expressly declared void agreement under the Indian Contract Act.
3 July 2019
Questions Contd…
97
 (41) Discuss the law relating to (a) agreements in restraint of marriage and (b)
uncertain agreements.
 (42) “An agreement in restraint of trade is void”. Discuss the statement giving
exceptions to it, if any.
 (43) What is a wager? Is an agreement by way of wager void or illegal? Is a contract of
insurance a wager?
 (44) What do you understand by performance of a contract? State who can demand
performance and by whom contracts must be performed?
 (45) State with illustrations the provisions of the Indian Contract Act relating to the
devolution of joint rights and liabilities.
 (46) State briefly the various modes in which a contract may be discharged.
 (47) What do you mean by ‘attempted performance or tender”? State the essentials of
a valid tender. Discuss the effect of refusal to accept a valid tender.
 (48) Discuss the law relating to discharge of contract by mutual consent.
 (49) What are quasi-contracts? Discuss the quasi-contracts dealt with under the
Indian Contract Act.
 (50) “A quasi-contract is not a contract at all. It is an obligation which the law
creates”. Amplify and state the quasi-contracts recognized under the Indian Contract
Act.
3 July 2019
Questions Contd…
98
 (51) Under the Indian Contract Act, there are “certain relations resembling those created by a
contract”. Explain giving illustrations.
 (52) Discuss the rights and duties of a finder of goods.
 (53) Discuss briefly the remedies for breach of contract
 (54) What principles are applied in order to assess the amount of damages recoverable for a
breach of contract?
 (55) “If a contract is broken, the law will endeavor, so far as money can do it, to place the injured
party in the same position as if the contract has been performed”. Discuss the statement
indicating the rules which guide the contract in the assessment of damages.
 (56) Explain the terms “Penalty” and “Liquidated damages”. If the parties to a contract have
agreed on the amount of damages payable in the event of its breach, can the court enhance or
reduce that amount?
 (57) What is meant by suing on quantum meruit? Under what circumstances a claim on a
quantum meruit arise?
 (58) When can an aggrieved party file a suit for ‘specific performance’ and for an ‘injunction’?
Explain and illustrate.
 (59) Do you agree with the statement: “Ignorance of law is no excuse”?
 (60) What is the nature and significance of business law? Explain the meaning and scope of
business law. Explain the scope of business law in the Indian context. Discuss the different
sources of Indian business law.
**********
3 July 2019

1 Law of Contract

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1 Law of Contract

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Unit: 3

 Man is a social animal. He cannot live in isolation. He has a number of

 Gray has defined law as “the state or of any

 (1) Knowledge of law: It is not possible for a person to

 (3) Sources of Mercantile Law: The Indian

 When the Courts of Justice for the three presidency towns of

 The law of contract is the foundation upon which the

 The law of contract is applicable not only to the business

 The law of contract in India is contained in the Indian

 The scheme of the Act may be divided into two main

 Subject to certain limiting principles, there shall be

 According to Sec. 2(h) of the Indian Contract Act:

 A contract has been defined in Sec. 2(h) as “an agreement enforceable

 In commercial agreements an intention to create legal relations is

 (5) Free Consent: Free consent of all the parties to an agreement is

 (7) Writing and registration: According to the Indian contract Act, a

 (9) Possibility of Performance: Yet another essential

 (I) Kinds of Contract form the Point of View of Enforceability

 From the point of view of enforceability a contract may be Valid or

 Other circumstances under which a contract becomes voidable.

 Void Agreement: “An agreement not enforceable by law is said to be

 Obligation of person who has received advantage under void agreement

 (4) Unenforceable Contract: An unenforceable

 From the point of view of mode of creation a contract may be

 (3) Constructive or Quasi Contract: The term ‘Constructive

 From the point of view of the extent of execution a contract may be

 (2) Executory Contract: it is one in which both the obligation are

 A valid offer must be in conformity with the following rules;

 Communication of Special terms. Regarding the communication of

 (7) An offer should not contain a term the non-compliance of

 Lapse and Revocation of Offer:

 (3) An offer lapses by rejection. An offer lapses if it has been rejected

 A contract, as already observed, emerges from the

 A valid acceptance must be in conformity with following rules:

 (3) Acceptance must be expressed in some usual and

 The four component parts of the definition of consideration (given

 (2) Agreement to compensate for past voluntary

 (3) Agreement to pay a time-barred debt {Sec. 25(3)}. Where there is an

 An essential ingredient of a valid contract is that the

 Misrepresentation: A representation means a statement of fact made by

 (5) If the court regards it as immoral. An agreement whose object or

 (3) Discharge by Subsequent or Supervening Impossibility or

 (d) Unauthorized material alteration

 (6) Discharge by Breach of Contract: Breach of contract by a party thereto

 Whenever there is breach of contract, the injured

 (1) Rescission of the contract: When there is a breach of contract by

 (3) Suit Upon Quantum Meruit (Sec. 65 and 70):

 (1) “An agreement enforceable by law is contract”. Discuss the

 (16) Define consideration. How far is it necessary for the

 (23) What do you understand by ‘capacity to contract’? What is the

 (35) In what cases the object and consideration of an

 (40) Discuss briefly expressly declared void agreement under

 (46) State briefly the various modes in which a contract may be

 (53) Discuss briefly the remedies for breach of contract

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