BUSINESS LAW I

FINAL EXAMINATION/Winter 2021

Section I. TRUE/FALSE

. (

Max. 20 Points

)

For each of the following statements, indicate (with a "T" or "F") whether the statement is True or False.

Each correct response is worth two (2) points.

1. _________.

The relationship between an employee and employer is one of a fiduciary

nature in which the employee owes a duty of good faith, loyalty, honesty and fair dealing to the

employer.

2. __________. A gift, including gifts of love and affection, does not generally constitute valid

consideration to support a contract.

3. __________. An unilateral contract is one that is typically made in a general way to an

identifiable group of persons and invites an acceptance by the performance of a specified act or

acts.

4. _________.

The doctrines of promissory estoppel and unjust enrichment allow a Court to

provide the reasonable value of goods or services where the party who received the goods or

services did so in the absence of a legally-binding contract and the interests of justice require

such an outcome.

5. _________.

In general, the common law governs contracts for the sale of services, including

professional services, and real estate interests while the Uniform Commercial Code governs

merchant contracts for the sale of goods.

6. _________.

All legal, enforceable contracts for the transfer of interests in real estate are

required to be in writing and formally signed by the parties pursuant to the Statute of Frauds.

7. _________.

Agreements made with minors are generally voidable by the minor and may be

disavowed when the minor attains the age of majority, provided the disaffirmance occurs within

a reasonable time after attaining the age of majority.

8. _________.

In general, contracts that give one party the ability to cancel the parties'

obligations in his or its sole discretion are illusory and are not enforceable due to a lack of

contractual intent.

9. _________.

At common law, an acceptance that does not accept the terms of an offer

exactly as made is deemed at law to be a rejection of the original offer and a counteroffer.

10. __________. A promise not to compete with your employer for a certain term of months or

years after you leave its employ is also known as a "restrictive covenant" and is enforceable by

the courts in general if it is reasonable in scope.

Section II. SHORT RESPONSES

(

Max. 20 Points

)

This section consists of four short answer questions each worth a maximum of five (5) points. Total

points for this Section equal twenty.

A. Identify four (4) required elements of a legally valid, enforceable Contract. (5 Points)

B. Identify three types of agreements that the Statute of Frauds requires a writing for. (5 Points)

C. Identify three circumstances in which an agreement might be "voidable." (5 Points)

D. Identify three types of equitable remedies that are available under contract law that may be

ordered when money damages are inadequate. (5 Points)

Section III. MULTIPLE CHOICE

. (

Max. 30 Points

)

This section contains 10 multiple choice questions. Choose the response for each question that is most

accurate and write its corresponding letter in the space provided. Each correct response in this section is

worth three (3) points.

1. ________.

Which of the following IS NOT considered to be a legally binding offer?

A. Bill tells his adult softball team that he will pay $50 to the first player to cut his lawn.

B. A store mails its customers a circular that advises of this week's sale items.

C. Walmart advertises that the first 50 customers to arrive at its new store for its Grand

Opening will be entitled to purchase one of only fifty 50" big screen TVs for $50.

D. All of the above are considered to be legally binding offers.

2. ________.

Which is true of the "objective reasonable person" standard?

A. The standard is used in negligence cases but not in contract disputes.

B. The standard is used in contract disputes but not in negligence cases.

C. The standard is used in both contract disputes and negligence cases.

D. The subjective intent of the parties governs in contract disputes and negligence cases.

3. __

___

___.

Fred had great difficulty accepting Sara's decision to break off their

engagement. Sara was Fred's high school sweetheart and the couple had dated off and on

since their grammar school days. Fred now wonders if he is entitled to the engagement ring

back. If Fred sued, what would be the MOST LIKELY RESULT?

A. Sara would be permitted to keep the ring because it was a conditional gift.

B. Sara would be permitted to keep the ring because it was given in consideration of the love

she and Fred had for many years.

C. Fred would be entitled to the ring's value or its return as a matter of equity because the ring

unjustly enriched her at Fred's expense.

D. Fred would be entitled to the ring's value or its return as a matter of law because Sara

breached her promise to marry and the ring was a conditional gift.

4.

________.

Egan, a 17-year old minor, contracted with Joe's Computer Service to purchase

a refurbished computer "as is" for $500.00. Joe's Computer Service operated illegally out of a

back room of his parent's warehouse in a portion of the town zoned solely for Industrial and

Warehouse use. The deal concluded between Egan and Joe's Computer required a

downpayment of $100 from Egan to take delivery of the computer and monthly payments of

$100 thereafter for the next four months. On the 20

th

day after Egan paid the initial payment

and took delivery, the computer was dropped and slightly damaged. Two weeks later, Egan

turned 18 years old and attained the age of majority. Five days after his birthday, Egan

returned the damaged computer to Joe's Computer Service and claiming that he had no

further obligation to Joe's. Joe's Computer sues Egan for the remaining $400 payment.

What will the likely result be?

A. Joe wins because Egan breached their deal, partial payment constituted partial

performance, Egan was unjustly enriched and equity demands the result in the interests of

justice.

B. Joe loses because the computer was seriously defective and he took the risk by extending

credit to Egan and failing to get an adult co-signer.

C. Joe loses because Egan lacked the requisite contractual intent and properly disaffirmed

within a reasonable time of reaching majority age.

D. Joe wins because a Court may award his company the reasonable value of the computer

since Egan could not return the computer in or close to its original condition.

5. _______.

Which of the following common law principles states that a valid contract

acceptance occurs when an offeree places his/her acceptance in a properly-addressed,

stamped envelope and deposits it in the U.S. mail?

A. The Mailbox Rule

B. The Mirror Rule

C. The Mutuality of Obligation Rule

D. Promissory Estoppel

3. __

___

___.

Fred had great difficulty accepting Sara's decision to break off their

engagement. Sara was Fred's high school sweetheart and the couple had dated off and on

since their grammar school days. Fred now wonders if he is entitled to the engagement ring

back. If Fred sued, what would be the MOST LIKELY RESULT?

A. Sara would be permitted to keep the ring because it was a conditional gift.

B. Sara would be permitted to keep the ring because it was given in consideration of the love

she and Fred had for many years.

C. Fred would be entitled to the ring's value or its return as a matter of equity because the ring

unjustly enriched her at Fred's expense.

D. Fred would be entitled to the ring's value or its return as a matter of law because Sara

breached her promise to marry and the ring was a conditional gift.

4.

________.

Egan, a 17-year old minor, contracted with Joe's Computer Service to purchase

a refurbished computer "as is" for $500.00. Joe's Computer Service operated illegally out of a

back room of his parent's warehouse in a portion of the town zoned solely for Industrial and

Warehouse use. The deal concluded between Egan and Joe's Computer required a

downpayment of $100 from Egan to take delivery of the computer and monthly payments of

$100 thereafter for the next four months. On the 20

th

day after Egan paid the initial payment

and took delivery, the computer was dropped and slightly damaged. Two weeks later, Egan

turned 18 years old and attained the age of majority. Five days after his birthday, Egan

returned the damaged computer to Joe's Computer Service and claiming that he had no

further obligation to Joe's. Joe's Computer sues Egan for the remaining $400 payment.

What will the likely result be?

A. Joe wins because Egan breached their deal, partial payment constituted partial

performance, Egan was unjustly enriched and equity demands the result in the interests of

justice.

B. Joe loses because the computer was seriously defective and he took the risk by extending

credit to Egan and failing to get an adult co-signer.

C. Joe loses because Egan lacked the requisite contractual intent and properly disaffirmed

within a reasonable time of reaching majority age.

D. Joe wins because a Court may award his company the reasonable value of the computer

since Egan could not return the computer in or close to its original condition.

5. _______.

Which of the following common law principles states that a valid contract

acceptance occurs when an offeree places his/her acceptance in a properly-addressed,

stamped envelope and deposits it in the U.S. mail?

A. The Mailbox Rule

B. The Mirror Rule

C. The Mutuality of Obligation Rule

D. Promissory Estoppel

6.

_______.

In which of the following scenarios is an agreement properly "voidable" within a

reasonable amount of time by the aggrieved party?

A. An owner of a company learns that he has bipolar disorder at the time he signs a loan

agreement and upon taking his newly prescribed medication a week after the diagnosis

returns the loan monies and seeks to disaffirm the agreement.

B. A corporate President of Ajax Co. signs a deal with a supplier over dinner to sell goods at a

50% wholesale discount to a new retailer XYZ Corporation after having had four martinis.

The retailer's CEO had six martinis that night and upon receipt of the goods protests that he

thought the discount was 60%. The next day, the CEO of Ajax sends a letter disaffirming the

contract due to his being under the influence and demands the return of the goods shipped

to XYZ.

C. Jack Swindler defrauds Susie Homemaker of $1,500 promising plumbing services that he

never intended to complete or render in a competent fashion. Jack performs a small

portion of the work and demands full payment of the agreed upon amount from Suzie and

threatens to sue if not paid immediately. Suzie pays, Jack never shows up to complete the

work and Suzie alleges that Jack defrauded her.

D. The Contracts are voidable in all of the above circumstances.

7. _______.

In which of the following scenarios would the agreement MOST LIKELY be declared

to be unenforceable as an illusory promise?

A. An oral contract for the sale of real estate.

B. A written contract for the lease of a commercial premises that contains a one-year term and

permits cancellation upon non-payment and thirty (30) days notice by the Tenant to the

Landlord.

C. A contract for professional services that permits cancellation upon notice by one of the

parties at any time in its sole discretion.

D. All of the above agreements are likely to be unenforceable as illusory promises.

8. _______. During a furlough from her work, LuAnn maxed out her credit card, hitting her limit of

$6,000 while awaiting her return to work. Despite her expectations, LuAnn was not called to

return to work for six months. After maxing out her credit card, LuAnn made two minimum

payments of $150.00 before defaulting on her card. When the card issuer sent LuAnn a notice

advising that there was a balance of $5,700 now due in full with interest, LuAnn called the

company, explained her situation and made an agreement with the card issuer to make six

payments of $500 to settle her outstanding debt. When LuAnn missed the last four payments,

the card issuer demanded full payment of the outstanding balance of $4,700 plus interest and

penalties under the original card agreement.

When the credit card company sues LuAnn for

the outstanding balance of $4,700 plus interest and penalties, what will be the likely result?

A. The credit card company will be awarded a judgment against LuAnn but only for $2,000

because of the company's agreement to settle LuAnn's pre-existing debt.

B. The credit card company will be awarded a judgment against LuAnn for the outstanding

balance of $4,700 under the original card agreement because there was no valid

consideration given by LuAnn under the settlement and she owed the pre-existing debt.

C. The credit card company will lose the case against LuAnn because it waived its right to sue

her by entering into a settlement.

D. None of the above are likely outcomes.

9. _______.

Which of the following constitutes the proper measure of legal, consequential

damages awarded under the common law for a breach of contract?

A. Benefit-of-the-Bargain damages

B. Incidental damages

C. Liquidated damages

D. Exemplary damages

10. _______.

Which of the following is NOT a legal principle under the common law that applies

to an offer to contract?

A. The offeror fixes the terms of an offer and manner of acceptance.

B. The offeror may revoke a valid offer at any time.

C. The offeror must manifest an intent to be bound by the offer.

D. The offeror must communicate an offer that is clear in order for it to be valid.

Section IV. CASE ANALYSIS (

Max. 30 Points

)

This Section requires the student to review 1 Case Scenario and respond to two short answer questions

worth a total of thirty (30) points. The written responses should demonstrate the student's knowledge of

both the legal principles involved in the Scenario and critical thought in applying the legal principles to

the Scenario provided. Write your short answers in sentence and paragraph form to each of the

following questions after reviewing and analyzing the Scenario. No plagiarism or academic dishonesty

will be tolerated. All work must be your own and solely the result of your individual efforts.

Scenario:

Jenny was her grandfather's favorite. Upon his death, she inherited $100,000.00 and

embarked on a new business venture with her inheritance. She decided to go into the apparel business

and created a line of women's sportswear bearing her brand "AngelWear," named with her grandfather

in mind. Sally, the owner of a local Boutique, loved Jenny's new line and encouraged Jenny to return in a

few weeks when Sally would be ordering for the next season. Jenny did so and showed Sally several new

pieces in addition to samples of her previously demonstrated products. Sally was thrilled to see the new

pieces and indicated that she would be happy to order and dedicate significant floor space to Jenny's

new line. After leaving the Boutique and returning to her office, Jenny ramped up production and sent

Sally an e-mail that offered a discounted wholesale price of 70% off of the MSRP for each piece for being

A. The credit card company will be awarded a judgment against LuAnn but only for $2,000

because of the company's agreement to settle LuAnn's pre-existing debt.

B. The credit card company will be awarded a judgment against LuAnn for the outstanding

balance of $4,700 under the original card agreement because there was no valid

consideration given by LuAnn under the settlement and she owed the pre-existing debt.

C. The credit card company will lose the case against LuAnn because it waived its right to sue

her by entering into a settlement.

D. None of the above are likely outcomes.

9. _______.

Which of the following constitutes the proper measure of legal, consequential

damages awarded under the common law for a breach of contract?

A. Benefit-of-the-Bargain damages

B. Incidental damages

C. Liquidated damages

D. Exemplary damages

10. _______.

Which of the following is NOT a legal principle under the common law that applies

to an offer to contract?

A. The offeror fixes the terms of an offer and manner of acceptance.

B. The offeror may revoke a valid offer at any time.

C. The offeror must manifest an intent to be bound by the offer.

D. The offeror must communicate an offer that is clear in order for it to be valid.

Section IV. CASE ANALYSIS (

Max. 30 Points

)

This Section requires the student to review 1 Case Scenario and respond to two short answer questions

worth a total of thirty (30) points. The written responses should demonstrate the student's knowledge of

both the legal principles involved in the Scenario and critical thought in applying the legal principles to

the Scenario provided. Write your short answers in sentence and paragraph form to each of the

following questions after reviewing and analyzing the Scenario. No plagiarism or academic dishonesty

will be tolerated. All work must be your own and solely the result of your individual efforts.

Scenario:

Jenny was her grandfather's favorite. Upon his death, she inherited $100,000.00 and

embarked on a new business venture with her inheritance. She decided to go into the apparel business

and created a line of women's sportswear bearing her brand "AngelWear," named with her grandfather

in mind. Sally, the owner of a local Boutique, loved Jenny's new line and encouraged Jenny to return in a

few weeks when Sally would be ordering for the next season. Jenny did so and showed Sally several new

pieces in addition to samples of her previously demonstrated products. Sally was thrilled to see the new

pieces and indicated that she would be happy to order and dedicate significant floor space to Jenny's

new line. After leaving the Boutique and returning to her office, Jenny ramped up production and sent

Sally an e-mail that offered a discounted wholesale price of 70% off of the MSRP for each piece for being

her first customer and advised that delivery can be made within 3 days. In a reply e-mail, Sally thanked

her for her generosity and told her that she would be in touch shortly. Jenny's joy turned into

disappointment when she did not hear from Sally for an entire week. Both ladies played phone tag for

the better part of the following week, leaving general messages for one another until, frustrated by the

situation, Jenny visited Sally's Boutique again. Jenny was stunned to see that the space she thought

would be dedicated to her line was filled with a competitor's apparel. Sally was not present at the time

and Jenny left angry at what she had seen and the significant costs she expended in ramping up the

production of her new line for Sally's Boutique

.

(A) Analyze the above Scenario carefully to determine if a valid, legally enforceable Contract

existed (explaining all relevant, legal contract principles) and whether Jenny will be successful

in a lawsuit against Sally and Sally's Boutique for breach of contract or to recover her

damages otherwise?

(

20 Points)

(B) What is the doctrine of "promissory estoppel" and would the application of that doctrine

afford Jenny any rights in the absence of a valid, enforceable Contract with Sally? (10 Points)

Section V. OPTIONAL EXTRA CREDIT

(

Max 10 points

)

Consider the following scenario and explain the most likely result? Be sure to provide your legal

reasons and analysis in two or three paragraphs in support of your conclusion.

Case Scenario

:

Ivan is a 21 year-old owner of a landscaping and lawn service business in Greenville, NJ. Virgil is an

adult customer of Ivan's services and had been for six months. As the winter season approached, Ivan

spoke to Virgil about drumming up business in Virgil's neighborhood for his new snow removal

division. Ivan told Virgil that he will take $10 off Virgil's monthly landscaping bill for six months, starting

in March of 2021, for each new customer that Virgil refers to Ivan for snow removal at Ivan's snow job

rate of $100 per house. Virgil tells Ivan that he is willing to help out and use his best efforts to do

so. Ivan then handed Virgil thirty fliers that bore Ivan's name, phone number, some marketing graphics

and a general description of the snow removal services offered at the $100 rate discussed. The flyer

also advised of a "

New Customer Discount Available

." Virgil thanks Ivan for his anticipated assistance

and the two men quickly conclude their business in a cordial manner.

Virgil gave Ivan's flyers to twenty of his friends and neighbors and spoke favorably to them about Ivan's

new service. Fifteen of them agreed to use Ivan for their snow removal services. In the winter months,

12 of these friends/neighbors did use Ivan for snow removal on at least one occasion. Ivan performed

the initial services requested by Virgil's friends and neighbors and gave them all his discounted, new

customer rate of $75 for their initial snow removal job. Ivan also advised each new customer that his

standard rate of $100 would apply to their second and subsequent snow removal jobs when

requested. Only 3 of Virgil's referrals used Ivan a second time. Ivan charged these three referral

customers 100 for their second and subsequent snow removal jobs. All three of these referral

customers offered the flyer that Virgil gave them to their friends and families when Virgil told them that

Ivan agreed to give him a $10 discount off the price for services for six months for each new customer

he referred to Ivan. As a result of the referrals from these 3 friends of Virgil, Ivan received five new

repeat customers.

In February 2021, Virgil caught up with Ivan and asked him to begin his regular landscaping services

again in March. During the course of the conversation, Ivan thanked Virgil for his assistance and

referral of three new customers to him, and gratefully advised Virgil that he would receive a credit on

his monthly landscape bill in the amount of $30 for the next six months as promised. Virgil was

surprised to hear that he would receive only $30 off his monthly landscaping services and protested to

Ivan that he sent him more than ten referral customers for which Ivan provided snow removal

services. Virgil told Ivan that he expected to receive a full $10 credit off of his Spring/Summer services

for six months for every snow removal job that Ivan performed for all 12 of the referrals that Virgil

provided and Ivan serviced. Ivan sarcastically said "yeah, right! You just want free services from me"

and exclaimed "that was certainly not part of any deal that we had." Both men became angry at one

another, exchanged hostile words and Virgil walked away frustrated and outraged that he would not get

the full amount of the credits that he anticipated. Just before leaving, however, Virgil threatened to

hire another landscaper, to sue Ivan for breach of contract and to recover the amount of a monthly

credit of at least $120 for the Spring/Summer months, as well as any difference in price should the new

landscaper charge him in excess of $100 per month for such services.

Did Ivan and Virgil have a valid, enforceable Contract? In your answer, be sure to explain whether

there was a meeting of the minds between the two and the relevant, legal principles used to

determine whether a meeting of the minds exists, whether any such agreement formed a bilateral or

unilateral contract and to identify the material terms of any such Contract.