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Contract Drafting Class 11 Tues. Feb 21. University of Houston Law Center D. C. Toedt III. Sort into teams for next two weeks. Common contract screw-ups. When spell-checker isn’t enough …. Sprinkle pasta dish with … salt, and … freshly ground black people
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Contract DraftingClass 11Tues. Feb 21 University of Houston Law Center D. C. Toedt III
When spell-checker isn’t enough … Sprinkle pasta dish with … salt, and … freshly groundblack people Copies pulped - $18K down the drain
Letting sleeping dogs lie … Jan 2010: CoCo’s contract lawyers might have chosen not to ask for a 11:35 pm start time guarantee …
Passive voice exercise 1. There is a considerable range of expertise demonstrated by the spam senders.
Passive voice exercise 1. There is a considerable range of expertise demonstrated by the spam senders. BETTER: “The spam senders demonstrated a considerable range of expertise.” BETTER STILL: “Evidently some spammers are experts – others, not so much.”
Review: Pros and cons of reps and warranties • Representation • Not strict liability – must also prove scienter (intent or recklessness), plus justified reliance • “As of” date • Punitive damages, rescission • Burden of discovery, pre-trial motion practice • Warranty • Strict liability – scienter & reliance not relevant • Can survive for months / years • Fewer hassles with discovery, pre-trial motions
CBS v. Ziff-Davis – sale of magazine division • Rep/warranty re financial statements • Due diligence: Accounting problems • Lawsuit: Misrep. + breach of warranty (really: litigating the price afterwards) • Holding: • No misrep.: Reliance not justified • BUT: Warranty claim succeeded • Parties settled after appellate holding
Warranty claims: RELIANCEPROOF
Warranty claims: SCIENTERPROOF