Jane, who is 18 years old, hopes to one day become a veterinarian and was excited when she secured a summer job at a local Pet Store about 25km from her home. Unfortunately, she discovered that her work schedule conflicted with her parent's schedules leaving her with no transportation to and from work. Jane was distraught over the thought of having to give up her "dream job".

Jane's best friend's older brother Jake, on hearing of her dilemma, suggested that he could rent his condominium, which was much closer to Jane's work, to Jane for the summer since he would be away on a work-term. The verbal agreement reached between Jane and Jake required Jane to pay a monthly lease of $700.

Jane had an excellent work experience at the Pet Store during the summer. The condominium lease arrangement with Jake, however, had not gone so smoothly. Jane had failed to budget properly, and was quickly running out of money. As a result, she was unable to pay her last month's rent.

(a) Discuss and apply the law concerning contracts with minors and determine what impact Jane's age (which is under the age of majority) would have on Jake's potential legal claim against her.

(b) If Jake's breach of contract claim went to trial, what party has the burden of proof? What is the standard of proof?

(c) If Jake had assigned the monthly lease payments to Diana and Jane failed to make the payments to Diana, would Diana be able to collect the monthly lease payments from Jane? In your analysis, include the application of the steps in an assignment of a contractual right.

Now, suppose that Jake and Jane entered into the same agreement. Jane pays rent for July on July 1st but, before she moves in on July 3rd, the condominium building burns down in a fire, which is no fault of Jake's.

(d) Is Jake in breach of contract?