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Coercion. Contracts – Prof. Merges March 8, 2011. Where are we?. ¢ Formation – Offer/acceptance “Policing” (Defenses; invalidation) Capacity Equity, Duress Fraud Unconscionability 4. Remedies. Alaska PackersAss’n v. Domenico. Alaska PackersAss’n v. Domenico. Facts Procedural History.
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Coercion Contracts – Prof. Merges March 8, 2011
Where are we? • ¢ • Formation – Offer/acceptance • “Policing” (Defenses; invalidation) • Capacity • Equity, Duress • Fraud • Unconscionability 4. Remedies
Alaska PackersAss’n v. Domenico • Facts • Procedural History
Alaska Packers • What is admiralty? • What is a libelant?
Consideration issue • What was the consideration for the K signed by the individual seamen?
Alaska Packers Sailors
K1: SF Contract Alaska Packers $50 plus piece rate Sailors Work hard, do what the boss says
K2: Alaska Contract $100 plus piece rate Alaska Packers Sailors Work hard, do what the boss says
K2: Alaska Contract $100 plus piece rate Alaska Packers Sailors Work hard, do what the boss says Is there anything new or extra coming from the sailors?
What were the circumstances of the renegotiation? • Where did it take place? • What were the bargaining positions of the parties?
Oliver Williamson, Markets and Hierarchies (1975); The Economic Institutions of Capitalism (1985)
“Asset Specificity” • When “sunk cost” investments lock one party into a contract, make it difficult to recoup investment if the other party does not perform
“Take or pay” clauses “Objective” price escalation clauses; long-term contracts
A Property Rights Example Private parcels
Could the sailors ever win? • Mid. P. 328 • See 2000 Utah L Rev 185 “A Fish Story”
Schwartzreich, p. 332 • Novation: rescission and then re-contracting • Disfavored: see why?
§ 89. Modification Of Executory Contract A promise modifying a duty under a contract not fully performed on either side is binding (a) if the modification is fair and equitable in view of circumstances not anticipated by the parties when the contract was made; or (b) to the extent provided by statute; or (c) to the extent that justice requires enforcement in view of material change of position in reliance on the promise.
Watson and Son v. Carrig • Facts • Procedural History
Was the hardrock foreseeable? • Stretching rescission • For good or ill?