What Does Without Recourse Mean

Without recourse is a legal
phrase used by an endorser of a negotiable instrument to signify that if the
payment of the instrument is denied or refused, the endorser will not be held
responsible. An
endorser is an individual who signs a document that didn’t originally make it.

The negotiable instruments involved with this
definition typically refer to business or personal checks or promissory notes.
An individual who endorses such an instrument will attach the phrase
“without recourse” to specifically decline the responsibility of
payment. Through the incorporation of this phrase, the endorser declines
responsibility by virtue of the endorsement and becomes merely the assignor of
the title to the negotiable instrument.

The without recourse clause is governed by the
broader laws associated with the distribution of Commercial paper, which is
codified through the Uniform Commercial Code of the United States Federal
Government. As a result, a without recourse attachment will be honored by all
courts assuming basic requirements are met.

Important Facts About The Punishment For A Breach Of Contract

The punishment for breach of contract may vary based on the laws
in each jurisdiction, as well as the type of contract involved. For
example, a contract such as a lease which is breached can include financial
penalties and possible eviction of the tenant.

Leases that are involved in a breach of contract can include
penalties for both the landlord and the tenant. If the landlord breaches the
contract, the tenant may not be required to pay rent in certain circumstances
until the contract is being honored. For example, tenants may not have to pay
rent if there is no heat or air conditioning when the temperature reaches a
certain level because the landlord has breached the contract.

In contrast, tenants may be evicted if they are guilty of a breach
of contract and fail to pay the rent on time.

Contractor Explained

What is a Contractor?

A contractor is an individual or company who is responsible for the day-to-day operations and oversight of a construction site. In addition to these functions a contractor will also manage the transactions involved in the site, primarily trades and deals with vendors.

A contractor is also responsible for keeping touch with the general contractor and the involved parties involved throughout the course of the project.

Price Evaluation Process:

Before starting a construction project, a contractor must visit and assess the construction site. Upon evaluating the piece of property, the contractor will formulate a price, referred to as an estimate. The contractors will then evaluate the cost of all materials, equipment, as well as the cost of labor. After analyzing the expected cost of the project, the contractor will provide the owner of the building with an approximate price for the construction process.

Following the delivery of the expected price for the project, the contractor will draw up contracts. These contracts will elaborate on the budget and the conditions revolving around the plans and specifications of the project. The contractor will utilize a design professional, such as an architect, to better evaluate the necessities of the project. That being said, in the majority of construction sites, the contractor will also act as the project engineer or the project manager.

What is a Contractor Responsible for?

A contractor is responsible for providing the construction companies and the individual workers with all material, including labor, equipment and those services necessary for the construction of the project. In order to accomplish these tasks, the contractor will incorporate specialized subcontractors to perform specialized tasks or portions of the construction process.

The responsibilities of the contractor will vary depending on the size and complexity of the construction project. In general; however, a contractor will be responsible for providing or accomplishing the following tasks: filing for building permits, securing the property, managing the workers on site, providing temporary materials and utilities on site, providing engineering functions and surveying for the site, disposing of wastes left over by the construction process, monitoring the schedules of workers, balancing the costs of the project and maintain accurate records regarding the finances and the construction process as a whole.

Example of a Contractor’s work:

An owner of a building or a real estate developer will develop a program based on their needs and subsequently choose a site. An architect will then assemble a design team of engineers and other experts to design the building and pinpoint specifications needed for construction. During this phase, the contractor will frequently participate in the design efforts by providing services where they will aid in providing price estimations and information revolving around scheduling.

The owner, contractor and architect will then work closely together to meet the deadline and budget of the project. The contractor will work with subcontractors to ensure that all quality standards have been met, in addition to the budget and timeline.

All You Need to Know About the Roman Law

What is Roman law?

Roman law was the formal legal system of ancient Rome; Roman law accounts for the legal developments that occurred before the seventh century AD. During this period, the Roman-Byzantine state adopted Greek as the official language for the governing bodies of the land.

The development of Roman law took more than a thousand years of jurisprudence, for it evolved from the Twelve Tables to the Corpus Juris Civilis, which was ordered by Justinian 1.

The Justinian Code, a formal Roman law that arose from the aforementioned jurisprudence, served as the basis for legal procedure throughout continental Europe, Ethiopia and the majority of former colonies of European nations.

Development of Roman law:

Before the Twelve Tables were formulated, private law in Rome was comprised of civil law and was applied only to Roman citizens. The earliest formation of Roman law was bonded to religion with distinct attributes related to formalism, conservatism and symbolism. This foundation of a legal field was predominantly governed by the ruling king; the majority of citizens lacked fixed rights under this framework.

The first formal text of Roman law was developed through the Law of the Twelve Tables. The Law of Twelve Tables was created in the middle of the fifth century BC; TerentiliusArsa, a plebian tribune, proposed that Roman law should be affirmed in writing, to prevent magistrates from applying arbitrary laws.

After years of political struggle, the plebian class convinced the patricians to form a delegation and meet in Athens, to affirm the laws of Solon through written documentation. In 451 BC, ten Roman citizens were chosen to record the laws; during this process, the men were given supreme political power—a transferring of power that ultimately restricted the authority of the magistrates.

In 450 BC, the decemviriproduced laws on ten tablets; however, these laws were regarded as a meager attempt by the plebians. A second decemvirate then added two additional tablets in 449 BC; this new law, the Law of the Twelve Tablets, was subsequently approved by the people’s assembly.

Early Roman law:

Following the creation of the 12 tablets, Roman law began to formulate itself into the ruling framework over the land. Many laws of the 12 tablets ultimately created a modernized society that effectively managed the behaviors of citizens through the institution of an affirmed legal code.

Early Roman law consisted of numerous laws that ultimately formed a balanced society; for instance, laws were created to allow the marriage between plebeians and patricians—a fundamental law that effectively agglomerated society through the destruction of social barriers. Another important statute of early Roman law is regarded as the root for modern tort law; LexAquilla, the name of the statute, provided compensation to the owners of property that was injured by another citizens’ fault or negligent actions.

Arguably the most important contribution that early Roman law possessed was not the enactment of statutes, but the emergence of a class of jurists and the creation of a legal science.

Find Out What Meeting of the Minds Means

One of the essential tenets of contract law is that in order for a legal and valid contract to be formed in the eyes of the courts, there must be a “meeting of the minds” between the parties forming the contract. The parties to the contract can be individuals, or a legal entity can be entered into a contract by an official in a position of power in the legal entity.

However, establishing the existence of a meeting of the minds is very difficult for the courts to determine. If there is any dispute about the terms of a contract before a meeting of the minds develops, the courts will show a preference to interpret the terms of the contract in a way which does the least harm or damage to all the parties involved.

A meeting of the minds may also be found to not exist if the contract fails a “reasonable man” test. The reasonable man test is that a normal person with the range of knowledge that a person of a similar background to the person disputing some or all of the terms of the contract, would have reasonably interpreted the contract in a particular manner. The reasonable man test can be influenced by the specific individuals who are involved in the contract at issue.

Deed Poll

A deed poll is a type of legal document that only involves a single person or party, and which states a particular intention that such a person is bound to by the document itself. A deed poll itself is not a contract due to the fact that only one party is affected by such a legal document and it states only an intention, rather than a guarantee or promise. This kind of document is oftentimes referred to as a deed poll name change because it is very commonly used in order to enact a name change for an individual.

Change name by deed poll is most commonly used in Europe, particularly in England, Ireland, and Northern Ireland. Other nations such as Hong Kong and New Zealand also use the deed poll name change.

Typically speaking, to change name by deed poll will require that a person complete a form, which must be signed by a witness. The form is then filed with the appropriate court. In many jurisdictions, deed poll name change may be considered as a legal name change, though change name by deed poll may not necessarily change a person’s name on the birth certificate.

Therefore, in the case that a passport is to be obtained, for instance, both the birth certificate and the change name by deed poll document will need to be furnished in order to complete the passport requirements.

All You Need to Know About Restatement of Contracts

The Restatement of Contracts is one of the most widely recognized and most frequently cited legal treatises that is part of jurisprudence in the United States of America. It is taught to most American law students during the first year of law school. It is the most-cited non-binding authority in common law in the United States.

The Restatement of Contracts is a peerless work in terms of overall influence and recognition among individuals on both the bar and the bench. The only possible rival for its recognition is the Restatement of Torts. The Second Edition of the Restatement of Contracts was begun in 1962, with the American Law Institute completing its compilation in 1979.

The general purpose of a restatement of the law is to allow judges and lawyers to have a general understanding of a set of treatises on legal subjects. The Restatement of Contracts allows individuals to have a general understanding of the principles of contract law. The Restatements of Contracts is one of the twenty three Restatements compiled by the American Law Institute.

The Restatement of Contracts is not legally binding, but it carries a great deal of weight and is highly persuasive because it represents the thoughts of prominent legal professors, practicing attorneys, and judges. The Restatement of Contracts is a reflective consensus reached by the American legal system and professionals, both of what the law is and, in rare cases, what the law should be.

Important Facts About Breach of Contract

What is a Breach of Contract?

A breach of contract occurs when a party, who agreed to formulate a contractual obligation with another party, does not carry out the intended function of the contract. As a result, a breach of contract is a legal cause of action where the binding agreement latent in the contract, is not honored by one or more of the parties to the contract.

A breach of contract can result in an individual not carrying-out a specific performance that was expected by the contract or by interfering with the other party’s ability to perform the task.

If a party, who agreed to formulate a contract with another party, does not fulfill his or her contractual promise or has given information to the other party that he or she will not perform his expected duty as labeled in the contract, the party is said to have performed a breach of contract. In addition, if the individual is unable to perform the obligations latent in the contract for whatever reason, a breach of contract is present.

Types of Breaches:

Minor Breach of Contract: A minor breach of contract constitutes a party’s inability to perform the full task expected by the contract; a minor breach of contract is referred to as an immaterial or partial breach of contract. In these instances, the non-breaching party cannot sue for specific performance, and can only seek legal action for actual damages sustained.

Material Breach of Contract: A material breach of contract is realized through any failure to perform, which ultimately permits the other party to the contract to collect damages because of the breach or compel performance.

Fundamental Breach of Contract: A fundamental breach of contract is a breach that permits the aggrieved party to terminate performance of the formulated contract. In these scenarios, the non-breaching party is entitled to sue the breaching party for damages sustained.

Anticipatory Breach of Contract: A breach of contract through anticipatory repudiation is an unequivocal indication that the party refuses to undertake the project or deliver performance as stipulated in the contract. Included in this type of breach, is a situation where a future non-performance is inevitable. This type of breach of contract allows the non-breaching party the option to treat the breach as immediate, which ultimately allows them to terminate the contract and sue for damages, without waiting for the actual breach to take place.

Remedies of a Breach of Contract:

In most instances, the judicial remedy for a breach of contract is the delivery of monetary compensation for damages incurred. If the failure to perform or satisfy the contractual obligation cannot be redressed through monetary compensation, the underlying court may enter an equity decree, which will award an injunction or the delivery of a specific performance.

The aggrieved person possesses the obligation to mitigate damages through reasonable means. In the United States, under contract law, punitive damages are typically not awarded for a breach of contract but may be awarded for other causes of action in a lawsuit.

Contract vs. Agreement

The essential differences between a contract and an agreement are minor. In essence, a contract’s outline is more formal and more rigidly presented than the terms outlined in an agreement.

A contract is a legally binding agreement reached between two parties, the terms of which the courts have the authority and obligation to enforce. An agreement is a less formal creation of an obligation between the two parties.

An agreement usually lacks one or more of the essential elements that are required to be present in order to form a valid contract that will be considered legally enforceable by a court of law.

Contracts outline the terms of the relationship that should be formed between the two parties to the contract. An agreement also outlines the terms of the relationship between the two. However, the difference is that the contract’s outline is far more rigid than that of a contract.

The essential difference between an agreement and a contract is that typically an agreement will only modify a contract that is already in place but does not place an obligation on either one of the parties to provide consideration to the other party, which a contract requires. A contract can involve the exchange of promises between the parties to the contract, while an agreement may simply involve one party accepting the offer from another party.

Easy Guide to Contract Law

What is a Contract Law?

Contract Law is the legal field that undertakes the regulation, establishment, and oversight of legislation pertinent to contracts; contracts are defined as legally binding agreements whose expressed legality upon construction is required in order to substantiate the authenticity of the contract itself. A contract will typically include at least 2 entities who must agree to participate within the expressed stipulations and terms illustrated within the text of the contract. A legal contract will typically include 4 primary components:

An ‘Offer’ is the initial provision of the terms expressed within the contract

‘Acceptance’ is the agreement enacted by both parties with regard to participate in the contract

A ‘Counteroffer’ is an acknowledgement of the terms expressed within the contract – a counteroffer is not synonymous with the endorsement of a contact

The ‘Consideration’ is the identification of valued items that may be used as collateral in the event of a breached – or broken – contract

What is an Illegal Contract?

The precepts within Contract Law define an illegal contract as a contractual agreement deemed to be absent of the required satisfaction of legal statutes necessary for the contract to be viewed as legal. Within contract law, contracts may be deemed as illegal due for the following reasons:

The inclusion of a minor as a party to the endorsement or creation of a contract is considered to be illegal; as a result of their legal rights and liberties – in accordance with their respective age(s) – a minor is considered to be ineligible to endorse a contract

Contract Law states that the forced endorsement of a contract, which is defined as the participation in either the construction or signing of a contract under duress or threats imposed renders the contract to be illegal

Contract Law states that contracts or agreements including the implementation or involvement of products, services, or activities considered to be illegal within the jurisdiction in which the contract was constructed or endorsed is rendered as an illegal contract

Contract vs. Agreement

Although the definitions of the two terms tend to become blurred both through misuse, as well as varying terminology, the precepts of contract law express that a contract and an agreement are not synonymous. While a contract may include a variety of agreements within its content, the primary difference between a contract and an agreement lies in the fact that the failure of one – or both parties – to adhere to the terms expressed within an agreement will typically be unable to result in legal action or punitive recourse. Conversely, the violation of the terms of a contract – upon that substantiation of that contract’s legality – may be subject to legal action or punitive recourse.

Contract Law Trials and Hearings

With regard to the legal review of contracts, Contract Law will oftentimes integrate the statutes expressed within tort law; a tort is derived from the French word meaning ‘wrong’ with regard to a wrong suffered by or upon an individual in conjunction to the involvement of another individual or entity:

Upon review of a broken – or breached – contract, the precepts of contract Law implements the legal procedure in which individual responsibility and action is classified and weighed without the mention or facilitation of a binding and legal contract

The analysis of any or all respective liability and participation is evaluated through litigation, case review, and witness testimony with regard to a broken or breached contract

Contract Law

Contract Law Defined

What Are Contracts

What Does Without Recourse Mean

Important Facts About The Punishment For A Breach Of Contract

Contractor Explained

All You Need to Know About the Roman Law

Find Out What Meeting of the Minds Means

Deed Poll

All You Need to Know About Restatement of Contracts

Important Facts About Breach of Contract

Contract vs. Agreement

Easy Guide to Contract Law

Easy Guide to Contract Law

All You Need to Know About Sustainable Construction

Contractor Explained

Find Out All You Need to Know About Construction Worker

Important Facts About Breach of Contract

Read This Before Entering Into A Quasi Contract

All You Need to Know About the Roman Law

Must Know Facts About Tenancy Agreement

Important Details on Service Level Agreement

Quick Outline of the Marital Settlement Agreement