Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Contracts Commons™

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Michigan Law Review

Discipline
Keyword
Publication Year
File Type

Articles 361 - 390 of 846

Full-Text Articles in Contracts

Bailments - Right Of Bailee For Hire To Limit His Liability By Contract With The Bailor, Michigan Law Review Apr 1942

Bailments - Right Of Bailee For Hire To Limit His Liability By Contract With The Bailor, Michigan Law Review

Michigan Law Review

Plaintiff, a guest of the defendant hotel, left his trunk at the hotel check room and received a receipt which stated on the back that the defendant would not be liable in excess of $25 for any loss resulting from its negligence. When the plaintiff called for the trunk, it could not be found. Held, the defendant is liable for the full value of the trunk, since a bailee for hire cannot limit his liability for his own negligence. Oklahoma City Hotel Co. v. Levine, (Okla. 1941) 116 P. (2d) 997.


Contracts - Agency - Statute Of Frauds - Satisfaction Of The Statute Of Frauds By A Memorandum Signed By An Agent Acting For A Partially Disclosed Principal, Michigan Law Review Apr 1942

Contracts - Agency - Statute Of Frauds - Satisfaction Of The Statute Of Frauds By A Memorandum Signed By An Agent Acting For A Partially Disclosed Principal, Michigan Law Review

Michigan Law Review

Plaintiff engaged a Michigan corporation to negotiate the purchase for him of certain shares of stock. The corporation obtained the promise of defendant to sell the stock to the corporation as agent for an undisclosed principal. The corporation, acting as the agent for an undisclosed vendor (defendant), sent a written confirmation of the sale to the plaintiff and sent a similar memorandum to the defendant which was signed by the corporation as agent for an undisclosed vendee (plaintiff). The next day defendant notified the corporation that he refused to deliver the shares. Plaintiff brought a suit in equity for the …


Labor Law - Right Of Employee To Sue On Collective Bargaining Contract Between Employer And Union, David Davidoff Apr 1942

Labor Law - Right Of Employee To Sue On Collective Bargaining Contract Between Employer And Union, David Davidoff

Michigan Law Review

Defendant, a theatre owner, in March, 1939, entered into a collective bargaining contract with a local union by the terms of which he agreed to hire only union operators, to pay them a specified wage, and to give them two weeks' notice of their discharge, or two weeks' salary in lieu thereof, should he decide to go out of business. Plaintiff, a union member, was employed by the defendant from March, 1939, until he was discharged in December, 1939. It appeared that this discharge was occasioned by defendant's sale of his theatre and retirement from the business. Plaintiff sued for …


United States - Contracts - Effect, When Tax Is Declared Unconstitutional, Of Provisions For Increase Or Decrease Of Purchase Price For Taxes "Imposed" Or "Changed", Wilbur Jacobs Mar 1942

United States - Contracts - Effect, When Tax Is Declared Unconstitutional, Of Provisions For Increase Or Decrease Of Purchase Price For Taxes "Imposed" Or "Changed", Wilbur Jacobs

Michigan Law Review

Between May 1935 and January 1936 the federal government purchased flour from respondent through contracts which contained a so-called "up and down" tax clause. The basic price charged included the A.A.A. processing taxes. During this same period respondent obtained an injunction against the collection of said processing taxes and, as a result of the decision of the Supreme Court in United States v. Butler, was relieved of liability for the tax. In a later suit brought by respondent in the Court of Claims to recover on other contracts, the government claimed a setoff for the amount of these taxes. …


Contracts - Promise To Perform Pre-Existing Duty - Gifts - Choses In Action, Michigan Law Review Mar 1942

Contracts - Promise To Perform Pre-Existing Duty - Gifts - Choses In Action, Michigan Law Review

Michigan Law Review

Plaintiff contracted to excavate a cellar for a stated price. He encountered solid rock and completed his duty under the contract only after defendant orally agreed to give extra compensation. When the excavation was finished, defendant refused to make payment except on the basis of the original terms. Held, defendant, by his later promise, effectively discharged plaintiff from his obligation under the original contract by way of gift. Thus, performance by the plaintiff was consideration for the later promise, thereby creating a new and binding contract. Watkins & Son v. Carrig, (N. H. 1941) 21 A. (2d) 591.


Oil And Gas - Interpretation Of Lease Containing Royalty Provisions, Brooks F. Crabtree Mar 1942

Oil And Gas - Interpretation Of Lease Containing Royalty Provisions, Brooks F. Crabtree

Michigan Law Review

Several of the plaintiffs owned oil-producing land in Oklahoma and had leased it to one Briggs. The lease ran for a fixed term and "so long thereafter as oil or gas may be produced therefrom by the lessee." It provided for a royalty payment to the lessor of one-eighth of the oil or gas produced, and gave the lessee the right "at any time" to remove all machinery and equipment placed on the premises, including the right to draw and remove the casing. Briggs sold the equipment thereon to defendant and later sold the lease itself to one of the …


Damages - Breach Of Contract - Right To Compete In A Contest, Michigan Law Review Feb 1942

Damages - Breach Of Contract - Right To Compete In A Contest, Michigan Law Review

Michigan Law Review

Defendant organized a contest whereby the public was invited to guess the number of beans in a jar, the fifteen persons submitting the answers most nearly correct to be entitled to become participants in a "quiz contest" in which the prize was an automobile to be awarded to "the person who is the last to be eliminated." The participants drew for the order in which they were to be questioned, the plaintiff drawing first position. On the fourth round of questions the plaintiff missed the question put to him, and then the other contestant failed to answer correctly, whereupon the …


Specific Performance - Effect Of A V Endor's Breach Of A Collateral Agreement, Michigan Law Review Feb 1942

Specific Performance - Effect Of A V Endor's Breach Of A Collateral Agreement, Michigan Law Review

Michigan Law Review

The vendor sought specific performance of a land contract containing the following clause, "On default by the buyer, the binder shall be retained by the seller, but if the seller shall be unable to make conveyance as above stipulated then the binder shall be returned and all obligations shall cease." It was agreed orally by the parties that the vendor would help the vendee finance the purchase. The vendor did provide the vendee with an application for a mortgage from a bank, but the bank did not promise to take the mortgage. Held, specific performance should be refused, both …


Taxation - Gift Tax - Transfer In Pursuance Of An Antenuptial Agreement As A Taxable Gift, Michigan Law Review Jan 1942

Taxation - Gift Tax - Transfer In Pursuance Of An Antenuptial Agreement As A Taxable Gift, Michigan Law Review

Michigan Law Review

Plaintiff entered into an antenuptial agreement with his intended wife whereby she waived all rights which she might acquire by virtue of the marriage in certain stock which he owned. In consideration therefor, he transferred to her two annuities and an interest as tenant by the entirety in two parcels of real estate. Plaintiff contended that such transfers did not constitute taxable gifts, and the Board of Tax Appeals decided in his favor. Held, that the transfers were taxable gifts, for a waiver of marriage rights in the property of plaintiff pursuant to an antenuptial agreement did not constitute …


Constitutional Law - Impairing The Obligation Of Contracts - Refunding Bonds, John F. Hall Dec 1941

Constitutional Law - Impairing The Obligation Of Contracts - Refunding Bonds, John F. Hall

Michigan Law Review

In 1938, Mississippi authorized the issuance of state highway bonds in the aggregate of $60,000,000. Interest was payable semiannually and the bonds were to mature serially semiannually, and to the extent necessary to make these payments the revenues from gasoline taxes were pledged. The act further provided that the state covenanted that so long as any of the bonds were outstanding and unpaid, it would not authorize "any other obligations or securities payable from gasoline tax revenues" unless such revenues should increase in such an amount that one-third of the proceeds would be sufficient to meet the principal and interest …


Contracts - Arbitration And Award -Validity At Common Law Of Proceedings Void Under Arbitration Statutes, Edward H. Schlaudt Dec 1941

Contracts - Arbitration And Award -Validity At Common Law Of Proceedings Void Under Arbitration Statutes, Edward H. Schlaudt

Michigan Law Review

Defendant contracted with plaintiff to grade an athletic field. The contract required all questions subject to arbitration thereunder to be submitted to statutory arbitration at the choice of either party. A dispute arose and at the plaintiff's demand three arbitrators were selected as provided in the contract. Plaintiff sued to collect an award granted in his favor. Defendant objected that both the contract of submission and the proceedings fell far short of the statutory requirements. Held, though the parties agreed to arbitrate under the statute, the proceedings pursuant to the contract fell so far short of statutory requirements that …


Equity - Specific Performance Of Contract To Lend Money, Robert C. Lovejoy Dec 1941

Equity - Specific Performance Of Contract To Lend Money, Robert C. Lovejoy

Michigan Law Review

Plaintiff, through the Mortgage Service Bureau, which acted as intermediary, negotiated a loan from defendant bank, secured by a mortgage on plaintiff's land. Plaintiff executed and delivered notes and a mortgage, and defendant drew a check for one of the loan installments payable to plaintiff and the bureau, The latter without authority took the check, forged plaintiff's signature, and kept the money. The bureau being out of business and insolvent, plaintiff, with an unfinished house on his hands and without funds to complete it, sought specific performance of the agreement to lend. Held, plaintiff was entitled to specific performance, …


Landlord And Tenant - Covenant By Landlord To Repair - Liability Ex Contractu For Personal Injuries Of The Tenant's Wife, Reid J. Hatfield Dec 1941

Landlord And Tenant - Covenant By Landlord To Repair - Liability Ex Contractu For Personal Injuries Of The Tenant's Wife, Reid J. Hatfield

Michigan Law Review

One of the terms under which certain premises were leased to plaintiff's husband was a covenant by the defendant lessor to keep the premises in repair. Defendant neglected to repair two of the porch steps, although often requested by plaintiff to do so, and because of their defective condition plaintiff fell and was hurt. She brought suit on two counts; in tort for negligence, and on the contract for its breach. Held, an action in tort would not lie, and, although this was a proper case for an action ex contractu, recovery was denied because the consequences were avoidable …


Wills - Joint And Mutual Wills - Contracts To Bequeath And Devise - Statute Of Frauds, Charles J. O'Laughlin Dec 1941

Wills - Joint And Mutual Wills - Contracts To Bequeath And Devise - Statute Of Frauds, Charles J. O'Laughlin

Michigan Law Review

The husband and wife made joint and mutual wills, each giving to the survivor a life interest in his or her separate property with the remainder to their foster daughter, the plaintiff. The wife died first, but the husband destroyed the entire will, and took possession of all the wife's property. The husband then died intestate, and plaintiff brought suit against the heirs to enforce the dispositions made by the joint and mutual will. Plaintiff introduced evidence to show that the will was the product of a contract, and therefore irrevocable. Defendant objected on the grounds that the agreement was …


Wills - Joint And Mutual Wills - Contracts To Bequeath And Devise - Statute Of Frauds, Charles J. O' Laughlin Nov 1941

Wills - Joint And Mutual Wills - Contracts To Bequeath And Devise - Statute Of Frauds, Charles J. O' Laughlin

Michigan Law Review

Husband and wife made joint and mutual wills, each giving to the survivor a life interest in his or her separate property with the remainder to their foster daughter, the plaintiff. The wife died first, but the husband destroyed the entire will, and took possession of all the wife's property. The husband then died intestate, and plaintiff brought suit against the heirs to enforce the dispositions made by the joint and mutual will. Plaintiff introduced evidence to show that the will was the product of a contract, and therefore irrevocable. Defendant objected on the ground that the agreement was not …


Labor Law - Jurisdictional Dispute - Validity Of Disposition By The A. F. Of L., Reed T. Phalan Nov 1941

Labor Law - Jurisdictional Dispute - Validity Of Disposition By The A. F. Of L., Reed T. Phalan

Michigan Law Review

Both the Brewery Workers Union and the Teamsters Union, members of the American Federation of Labor, demanded jurisdiction over drivers of brewery wagons and trucks. In 1933, the Federation decided the controversy in favor of the Teamsters Union. The Brewery Workers Union refused to abide by this decision and filed suit for an injunction to restrain the Teamsters Union and the Federation from carrying out the decision. The lower court granted the injunction, construing the certificate of participation granted the Brewery Workers Union by the Federation as giving a contract right of prior and exclusive jurisdiction over the disputed group …


Infants - Minority As A Defense To Rescission For Fraud, Raymond H. Rapaport Jun 1941

Infants - Minority As A Defense To Rescission For Fraud, Raymond H. Rapaport

Michigan Law Review

Two defendants, one of whom was a minor, sold a business to the plaintiff. The plaintiff, in seeking to rescind the contract on the ground that it was induced by fraud, obtained a decree declaring the contract cancelled, and judgment was entered against the defendants for the sums they had received from the plaintiff. The minor defendant filed a petition to vacate the judgment as to him because during the trial no guardian ad litem had been appointed to represent him. Held, defendant is entitled to a new trial only if he could have made a good defense, and …


Administrative Law - Doctrine Of Prior Resort - Resort To The Railway Adjustment Board Before Court Suit, Felicia I. Hmiel Jun 1941

Administrative Law - Doctrine Of Prior Resort - Resort To The Railway Adjustment Board Before Court Suit, Felicia I. Hmiel

Michigan Law Review

In 1937 the Louisville and Nashville Railroad Company, a party to a collective bargaining agreement which protected the seniority rights of the company's employees, rehired one of its old employees and put his name on the seniority list ahead of those of the plaintiffs, who were hired in 1924. For breach of the agreement the plaintiffs brought suit in the Georgia court without first applying for relief to the National Railway Adjustment Board, which has jurisdiction over disputes relating to the interpretation and application of such agreements. Held, that the jurisdiction of the board does not prevent recourse to …


Insurance - False Statements In Application - Implied Knowledge Of Insurance Company As Ground For Waiver, Michigan Law Review Jun 1941

Insurance - False Statements In Application - Implied Knowledge Of Insurance Company As Ground For Waiver, Michigan Law Review

Michigan Law Review

In a suit by the beneficiary on a life insurance policy, the insurance company defended on the ground that the insured knowingly had made false statements material to the risk in his application and therefore the company had a right to rescind the contract. The insured's false statements were to the effect that he had never been refused insurance on a former application, whereas in fact the John Hancock Insurance Co. had rejected his application in the preceding year. Both the John Hancock Co. and the defendant insurer were members of a common agency which gave information to its members …


The Present Status Of Collective Contracts In The American Legal System, Arthur Lenhoff May 1941

The Present Status Of Collective Contracts In The American Legal System, Arthur Lenhoff

Michigan Law Review

Can it be that less than a score of years has elapsed since Schlesinger v. Quinto pointed out the difference between employment contracts and collective contracts? And yet in that short period the various objections recurrently raised regarding the enforceability of these contracts, such as lack of consideration and of mutuality as well as the dictate of the "personal service" rule, came to be disregarded. At a time when employers are not only obliged to bargain collectively but also, after reaching an agreement, to reduce it to writing, reminiscences of the "custom" doctrine must, indeed, resemble the frozen sounds in …


Corporations - Close Corporations - Methods Of Retaining Ownership Of Stock In Surviving Stockholders When One Stockholder Dies, Reid J. Hatfield May 1941

Corporations - Close Corporations - Methods Of Retaining Ownership Of Stock In Surviving Stockholders When One Stockholder Dies, Reid J. Hatfield

Michigan Law Review

The close corporation is generally formed by a small group who take an active part in the business and whose participation is essential to the successful operation of the venture. Thus, a partnership may decide that the corporate form will more effectively protect the interests of its members, or a small number of people interested in the same enterprise may incorporate in order to limit their individual liability in the common endeavor. Whatever the reason for the use of the corporate entity, the active participation of each stockholder is probably of vital importance to the financial welfare of all. To …


Contracts - Right Of Donee Beneficiary, Michigan Law Review Apr 1941

Contracts - Right Of Donee Beneficiary, Michigan Law Review

Michigan Law Review

Defendant contractor was engaged by the city of Duluth to do sewer construction work contemplating excavation in solid rock with heavy charges of explosives. The contract made defendant "liable for any damage done to private property and injuries sustained by persons" in the course of its work. Plaintiff's nearby land was damaged by defendant's blasting operations. Held, that plaintiff, a mere donee beneficiary, was entitled to recover, although he was not a party to the contract, had furnished no consideration, and was not identified at the time the contract was made. La Mourea v. Rhude, (Minn. 1940) 295 …


Contracts - Consideration - Moral Obligation To Pay For Services Rendered In Past, Michigan Law Review Apr 1941

Contracts - Consideration - Moral Obligation To Pay For Services Rendered In Past, Michigan Law Review

Michigan Law Review

After decedent's wife died, claimants, her mother and sister, at the request of the decedent, broke up their home and came to live with him, to keep house for him and to care for his children. These services continued for ten years, at which time the decedent gave claimants his promissory notes aggregating $2,000. They entered these notes as claims against his estate. Held, the claimants' services, even if rendered gratuitously, were performed at the decedent's request and raised a moral obligation which was sufficient consideration for the notes. In re Schoenkerman's Estate, (Wis. 1940) 294 N. W. …


Insurance - Fraternal Benefit Policy - Who Is A "Dependent'', Michigan Law Review Mar 1941

Insurance - Fraternal Benefit Policy - Who Is A "Dependent'', Michigan Law Review

Michigan Law Review

Deceased was an inmate of an old age home, having paid an entrance fee and signed an entrance contract in which the home reserved the right to discharge inmates at any time without reason upon refund of a proportionate amount of the entrance fee. Deceased lived in the home until his death. He had taken out a policy in a fraternal benefit association whose by-laws provided that "In the event of the death of all beneficiaries named in a certificate . . . the benefits shall be paid . . . [to the] . . . person or persons upon …


Bankruptcy - Right Of Trustee Against Claimant Of Vendor's Lien, Michigan Law Review Feb 1941

Bankruptcy - Right Of Trustee Against Claimant Of Vendor's Lien, Michigan Law Review

Michigan Law Review

More than four months before bankruptcy the vendor sold an automobile truck to the bankrupt grocer under an unrecorded conditional sales contract, and a part of the purchase money, represented by an installment note, is still owing. The appellant was assigned the contract and note before the first installment became due. The truck was turned over to the trustee in bankruptcy, who sold it and holds the proceeds. Appellant filed a claim in bankruptcy asserting a statutory purchase money lien. Held, that the lien of the vendor prevails over the trustee. Commercial Credit Co. v. Davidson, (C. C. …


Election Of Remedies- Contracts Induced By Fraud, Michigan Law Review Feb 1941

Election Of Remedies- Contracts Induced By Fraud, Michigan Law Review

Michigan Law Review

In 1939, plaintiff brought an action alleging in his complaint that defendant became indebted to him on December 17, 1928, for $13,400, for money had and received by defendant to the use of plaintiff. In a bill of particulars plaintiff pointed out that the indebtedness arose from the purchase of certain bonds and the subsequent rescission of the contract of purchase prior to the commencement of this action, basing his right to rescind upon misrepresentations made by, and the fraud of, defendant in inducing the purchase of said bonds. When defendant moved for a summary judgment on the ground that …


Insurance - Conditional Vendor's Insurance - Effect Of Repair By Or Restoration To The Vendee Or Sub-Vendee, Michigan Law Review Feb 1941

Insurance - Conditional Vendor's Insurance - Effect Of Repair By Or Restoration To The Vendee Or Sub-Vendee, Michigan Law Review

Michigan Law Review

Plaintiff, a Minnesota corporation, purchased the vendor's interest in an automobile sold under a conditional sales contract. The defendant insured the plaintiff against direct loss or damage to the automobile by collision and/or upset. The vendee, without plaintiff's knowledge or consent, sold the car to a sub-vendee who drove it to Texas, became involved in an accident, and sold the wreckage to a resident of Texas who purchased in good faith. The car was rebuilt and resold. Plaintiff sued for the loss caused by the collision. Held, plaintiff may recover even though the car was repaired by others prior …


Labor Law - National Labor Relations Act - Necessity Of A Written Contract To Meet Requirement Of Good Faith Collective Bargaining, Rex B. Martin Feb 1941

Labor Law - National Labor Relations Act - Necessity Of A Written Contract To Meet Requirement Of Good Faith Collective Bargaining, Rex B. Martin

Michigan Law Review

Having found that the petitioner, by refusing to sign an agreement reached with the union, was refusing to bargain collectively, the National Labor Relations Board ordered it to bargain by signing a written agreement. The Circuit Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit directed enforcement of the board's order. On certiorari to that court, held that the board's order should be enforced. H.J. Heinz Co. v. National Labor Relations Board, (U. S. 1941) 61 S. Ct. 320, affirming (C. C. A. 6th, 1940) 110 F. (2d) 843.


Marriage And Divorce - Power Of Court To Modify Decree For Alimony Or Property Settlement As Affected By Agreement Of The Parties, Roy L. Rogers Nov 1940

Marriage And Divorce - Power Of Court To Modify Decree For Alimony Or Property Settlement As Affected By Agreement Of The Parties, Roy L. Rogers

Michigan Law Review

Contracts settling the property interests of a husband and wife or providing for support of the wife or for both of these ends are no doubt valid in all jurisdictions where the parties may contract with each other if the purpose is not to facilitate divorce or future separation. Even at common law, separation agreements could be made, however, through the intervention of a trustee. If not invalid, the contract may ordinarily be enforced in an action on the promise. But, when a divorce is decreed, it is quite often the practice to incorporate in the divorce decree the provisions …


Contracts - Intervening Impossibility - Nature Of Excuse Under Casualty Clause, Edmund R. Blaske Nov 1940

Contracts - Intervening Impossibility - Nature Of Excuse Under Casualty Clause, Edmund R. Blaske

Michigan Law Review

The plaintiff sought to compel the performance of a contract by which the defendant obligated himself to make deliveries of logs in specified months. The contract contained the following casualty clause: "And the seller is not liable for delay or nonshipment or for delay or nondelivery if occasioned by . . . strikes, lockouts, or labor disturbances. . . . Buyers agree to accept delayed shipment and/ or delivery when occasioned by any of the aforementioned causes, if so required by the seller, provided the delay does not exceed thirty days." When performance got under way, the longshoremen's strike intervened …