[A] Performance + breach
- Absolute nature of contracting
- Not fault based – no proof needed – deliberate or accidental non performance
still means you are in breach
- Can’t be half performed
Arcos v Ronaasen [1933] AC 470
- Sale of wood for constructing barrels
- ½” thick wood – described in the contract description
- Some pieces came up 9/16” thick – only a few mm difference – this would not
affect anything, the wood is still perfectly usable
- Is there a breach of contract?
- Court held that if there is a difference between what you order and what you
receive, you are entitled to reject it, even if it is commercially useful
- Wanted to reject based on the fact that the value of wood had gone down and it
is cheaper to buy it elsewhere
Modern law of contract description
Sales of Goods Act 1979 – modification of remedies for breach of condition in
non-consumer cases
Other limits to strictness
- Law gives approximate standards – ignores trifles
- S13 SSG+SA 1982 – contractual obligation to exercise reasonable skill and care
– don’t promise to do something, promise you will do your best to perform with
reasonable skill and care
[B] Literal Enforcement
- What remedies can be claimed if you are in breach?
1) Specific performance
- Equitable remedy: available by discretion of courts
- Court can enforce performance of contractual obligations
- Less common approach to enforce contracts
- Courts usually think that money will fix problems, eg: paying for damages
Societe des Industrie Mettallurgiques SA v Bronx Engineering Co Ltd [1975] 1
Lloyd’s Rep 465 (sale of goods)
- 200 tonne machine, takes 9-12 months to manufacture, costs £270,000 without
delivery charges
- Seller doesn’t deliver to buyer. Buyer seeks specific performance to deliver,
doesn’t want any rival companies to get this machine
- Court = specific performance refused – damages should be claimed instead
2) Uniqueness of subject matter
Adderley v Dixon (1824) 1 Sim & St 607 (sale of land)
- Sale of land is seen as unique
- Specific performance routinely awarded for non-performance of obligation to
transfer rights in land
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller lilyorr. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $4.51. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.