Contracts合同法
一、、Classification of Contracts合同的分类
1、Executed and Executory Contracts
2、V oid, Voidable and Unenforceable Contracts
二、The Essentials of a V alid Contract有效合同的要素
（1）There must be an offer and acceptance.
（2）There must be consideration.
（3）Certain types of agreement are only valid if made in a particular form.
（4）The contract parties must have the intention to create legal relations.
（5）The parties must have the appropriate capacity to contract.
（6）There must be genuine consent by the parties to the terms of the contract, and the terms must be clear and certain.
（7）The contract must not have been concluded as a result of undue influence, duress or misrepresentation.
（8）The contract must not contradict public policy or be otherwise illegal.
（9）The contract must be capable of being performed.
三、Contract Formation
offer要约
acceptance承诺
consideration对价。
Cross offer交叉要约
Consideration对价
1、Lapse of Offer要约的失效
（1）By revocation
（2）By rejection by the offeree
（3）By counter-offer
（4）By lapse of time
（5）By death of either party
（6）By failure of condition subject to which the offer was made
2、Requirement of Acceptance承诺的要求
（1）Acceptance must be made in the manner expressly or impliedly prescribed by the offeror. （2）Acceptance must be made by the offeree or by someone acting with his authority.
（3）Acceptance must be made within the period of validity of the offer, or within a reasonable time. （4）Acceptance must be unqualified and should be distinguished from a counter-offer, a conditional assent, a standing offer.
3、Terms of a Contract合同的条款
(1)Condition and Warranty
A condition is an important term which goes to the root of the contract, so that its non-observance will frustrate the main purpose of the contract. Breach of a condition will give the innocent party a right to rescind or repudiate the contract. However, the innocent party may on his own volition elect to go on with the contract.
A warranty is a less important contract term, breach of which will only give the innocent party the
right to sue for damages but not to treat the contract discharged.
(2)The Parol Evidence Rule口头证据规则
（3）Certainty of Terms条款的确定性
（4）Exemption Clause免责条款
四、Vitiating Factors无效因素
1、Mistakes错误
2、Misrepresentation不当陈述
3、Duress胁迫
（1）Duress to a Person
（2）Duress to Goods
（3）Economic Duress
4、Illegal Contracts非法合同
五、Problems Involving Persons other than the Parties to the Original Contract
1、Intended Beneficial意定的受益人
2、Incidental Beneficiaries意外的受益人
六、Discharge清偿或解除（即灭失）
1、By Performance履行清偿
Perform in Good Faith诚实信用地履行合同义务
2、By Frustration合同受挫
（Impossibility or Impracticability of Performance履行不能或者不实际）
3、By Operation Of Law由于法定理由
4、By Rescission撤销，解除
（1）Mutual rescission双方解除
(2)Unilateral rescission单方解除
5、By Release免除
6、By Accord and Satisfaction和解与清偿
（1）Accord和解协议
（2）Satisfaction清偿
7、Effect of Running of Statute of Limitations经过法定时效
七、Breach of Contract违约
1、Breach of Contract违约
（1）Express repudiation明确拒绝履行
（2）Disabling himself from performing使自己不能履行
（3）Failure to perform by the due time到期限届满时仍未履行
2、Excuses for Non-performance不履行的理由（不构成违约）
（1）Impossible of Performance不能履行或者履行不能
（2）Supervening Illegality事后违法