Nicola has the following two unrelated contract issues: Issue One Nicola has recently signed a contract to lease a shop for five years. Nicola has now seen another shop which she prefers and has asked to be released from the signed contract. The owner of the original shop refuses, claiming the contract is legally binding. Issue Two Nicola's son, Adam, is 16 years of age. Without Nicola's knowledge, Adam has purchased a course of driving lessons with a local driving school for when he turns 17 years of age. Nicola is unhappy because she has already bought Adam driving lessons. Adam contacts the local driving school to cancel the course of driving lessons and they refuse, claiming the contract is legally binding. 

 

(a) Explain, with justification, whether the five-year lease for the shop is legally binding.

(b) Discuss whether Adam has a legally binding contract with the local driving school. Refer to one statute in support of your discussion.