Which of the following statements is FALSE on contracts for the leasing of assets?
Correct Answer: C
A lease is a contractual arrangement calling for the lessee (user) to pay the lessor (owner) for use of an asset. Some characteristics of Leases are: - The right to use the lessor's asset is granted in exchange for a fee called the lease payment. - The lease payments are usually paid in installments. - Leases may be long- or short-term. - At its inception a lease agreement constitutes a mutually unperformed contract Though the ownership of the asset is not transferred to the lessee, some responsibilities and risks do. The lessor and lessee may negotiate on who is responsible on maintenance, insurance, etc. Reference: LO 1, AC 1.3
Question 22
When should liquidated damages clauses be written into a contract?
Correct Answer: D
Liquidated damages are presented in certain legal contracts as an estimate of otherwise intangible or hard-to-define losses to one of the parties. It is a provision that allows for the payment of a specified sum should one of the parties be in breach of contract. Liquidated damages are meant as a fair representation of losses in situations where actual damages are difficult to ascertain. In general, liquidated damages are meant to be fair, rather than punitive. Limitations of Liquidated Damages It is possible that a liquidated damages clause might not be enforced by the courts. This can occur if the monetary amount of liquidated damages cited in the clause is extraordinarily disproportional to the scope of what was affected by the breached contract. Such limitations prevent a plaintiff from attempting to claim an unsubstantiated exorbitant amount from a defendant. For instance, a plaintiff might not be able to claim liquidated damages that amount to multiples of its gross revenue if the breach only affected a specific portion of its operations. The concept of liquidated damages is framed around compensation related to some harm and injury to the party rather than a fine imposed on the defendant. The courts typically require that the parties involved make the most reasonable assessment possible for the liquidated damages clause at the time the contract is signed. This can provide a sense of understanding and reassurance of what is at stake if that aspect of the contract is breached. A liquidated damages clause can also give the parties involved a basis to negotiate from for an out-of-court settlement. Reference: - Liquidated Damages - CIPS study guide page 158-159 LO 3, AC 3.2
Question 23
Which of the following is a key feature of liquidated damage clauses?
Correct Answer: A
Liquidated damages are presented in certain legal contracts as an estimate of otherwise intangible or hard-to-define losses to one of the parties. It is a provision that allows for the payment of a specified sum should one of the parties be in breach of contract. Understanding Liquidated Damages Liquidated damages are meant as a fair representation of losses in situations where actual damages are difficult to ascertain. In general, liquidated damages are meant to be fair, rather than punitive. Liquidated damages may be referred to in a specific contract clause to cover circumstances where a party faces a loss from assets that do not have a direct monetary correlation. For example, if a party in a contract were to leak supply chain pricing information that is vital to a business, this could fall under liquidated damages. A common example is a design phase for a new product that may involve consultation with outside suppliers and consultants in addition to a company's employees. The underlying plans or designs for a product might not have a set market value. This may be true even if the subsequent product is crucial to the progress and growth of a company. These plans may be deemed to be trade secrets of the business and highly sensitive. If the plans were exposed by a disgruntled employee or supplier, it could greatly hamper the ability to generate revenue from the release of that product. A company would have to make an estimation in advance of what such losses could cost in order to include this in a liquidated damages clause of a contract. Limitations of Liquidated Damages It is possible that a liquidated damages clause might not be enforced by the courts. This can occur if the monetary amount of liquidated damages cited in the clause is extraordinarily disproportional to the scope of what was affected by the breached contract. Such limitations prevent a plaintiff from attempting to claim an unsubstantiated exorbitant amount from a defendant. For instance, a plaintiff might not be able to claim liquidated damages that amount to multiples of its gross revenue if the breach only affected a specific portion of its operations. The concept of liquidated damages is framed around compensation related to some harm and injury to the party rather than a fine imposed on the defendant. The courts typically require that the parties involved make the most reasonable assessment possible for the liquidated damages clause at the time the contract is signed. This can provide a sense of understanding and reassurance of what is at stake if that aspect of the contract is breached. A liquidated damages clause can also give the parties involved a basis to negotiate from for an out-of-court settlement. Reference: - Liquidated Damages - CIPS study guide page 158-159 LO 3, AC 3.2
Question 24
The model form contract invented by Institute of Civil Engineers is...?
Correct Answer: A
NEC - New Engineering Contracts is a family of contracts invented by Institute of Civil Engineers. The contracts are suitable for procuring a diverse range of works, services and supply, ranging from major framework projects through to minor works and the purchase of supplies and goods. FIDIC is a French language acronym for Federation Internationale Des Ingenieurs-Conseils, which means the international federation of consulting engineers. It was started in 1913 by the trio of France, Belgium and Switzerland. The United Kingdom joined the Federation in 1949. FIDIC is headquartered in Switzerland and now boasts of membership from over 60 different countries. FIDIC published its first contract, titled The Form of contract for works of Civil Engineering construction, in 1957. As the title indicated, this first contract was aimed at the Civil Engineering sector and it soon became known for the colour of its cover, and thus, The Red Book. It has become the tradition that FIDIC contracts are known in popular parlance by the colour of their cover. This first contract by FIDIC was undertaken jointly with the International federation of Building and Public works. FIDIC's concerted effort at achieving broad consultation and acceptance of its contract forms has seen subsequent editions of its contracts being ratified by the International Federation of Asian and Western Pacific Contractors Association, Associated General Contractors of America and the Inter-American Federation of the Construction Industry, Multilateral Development Banks among others. Because of the broad support it enjoys, FIDIC contracts are the foremost contracts in international construction. The Joint Contracts Tribunal, also known as the JCT, produces standard forms of contract for construction, guidance notes and other standard documentation for use in the construction industry in the United Kingdom. From its establishment in 1931, JCT has expanded the number of contributing organisations. IMechE/IET: Institution of Mechanical Engineers/Institution of Engineering and Technology - two separate institutes that issue jointly agreed model forms covering the design, supply and installation of electrical, electronic and mechanical plant including special conditions for the ancillary development of software. Reference: LO 3, AC 3.1
Question 25
Under English law's general legal principles of contract formation, which of the following are likely to be offers? Select TWO that apply.
Correct Answer: B
An offer is a full statement of what the offeror is willing to provide and the terms by which they are willing to provide it. There are some statements that are not offers: - Invitation to treat: this states that a person or organisation is willing to enter into discussions about the possibility of a deal, but does not confirm a willingness to be bound by any terms mentioned. Catalogues, goods on display and ITTs are invitation to treat. Civil law countries may have different perspective on this matter. Article 2:201 (3) of The Principles of European Contract Law states: 'A proposal to supply goods or services at stated prices made by a professional supplier in a public advertisement or a catalogue, or by a display of goods, is presumed to be an offer to sell or supply at that price until the stock of goods, or the supplier's capacity to supply the service, is exhausted.' Learners are advised to look at their countries' legislation for more information on offer and acceptance. - Declaration of intention: this is defined as an aim or a plan. - A 'mere puff' (or boast): this is anything which is not intended to be taken literally or seriously, such as many advertisement. - Provision of information: merely provides information, but provider does not confirm willingness to be bound. Reference: LO 1, AC 1.2
