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What are the Legal Actions To Take Against A Breached Trust

What are the Legal Actions To Take Against A Breached Trust

A breach of trust can occur in any number of circumstances, and in
each case there may be a differing form of legal recourse. When the breach of
trust is included with a breach of contract, there may be both legal and civil
penalties. 

 

For example, if there is a breach of contract between a day care
center and a parent, it may also include a breach of trust. If the day care
center took responsibility to care for a child and then failed to do so, they
may be charged with both breach of contract and breach of trust.

 

The result of those activities may influence whether or not the
charges are criminal or civil. If, for example, the child was injured because
of a failure to care for that child as promised, the charges would likely be
civil and criminal.

 

All You Need to Know About Sustainable Construction

All You Need to Know About Sustainable Construction

What is Sustainable Construction?

Sustainable construction refers to the process of constructing a structure that is environmentally sound and resource-efficient throughout the building’s life. Sustainable construction incorporates a recyclable aspect throughout the entirety of the building’s lifecycle, meaning the project will be deemed efficient (in terms of resources used and the impact it poses on the environment) from design to construction and subsequent operation, maintenance, renovation and finally its demolition.
The introduction of innovations and new technologies have enables the construction of new buildings to meet environmental and resource standards. These new technologies, which are consistently being developed, complement current construction efforts to create greener structures. The common objective of sustainable construction is to reduce the overall impact and coordinating negative externalities that a construction project poses on human health and the natural environment. 
How does Sustainable Construction work?

To accomplish the aforementioned goals, a sustainable construction project will efficiently use its available resources and combine this practice with recyclable or innovative technologies. A sustainable construction project will efficiently use energy, water and other natural resources to build the structure. In addition, a sustainable construction project will protect occupant health and improve employee productivity through the issuance of a highly-regulated and organized protocol. Lastly, a sustainable construction project will reduce by products, through the reduction of waste, pollution and environmental degradation. 
Sustainable Construction and Energy Efficiency:

A green building will typically utilize energy in a highly efficient manner. To increase the efficiency of energy, the construction team may use high-efficiency windows and innovative insulation systems in the structure’s walls, floors and ceilings. 
A sustainable construction project may also incorporate other innovative technologies, such as a passive solar building design. This strategy will implement orient windows and walls to shade the structure during the summer while maximizing light in the winter months. 
A sustainable construction project will also implement renewable energy sources throughout the construction process. Solar power, hydro power, wind power or biomass can all reduce the environmental impact of the building. 
Sustainable Construction and Water Efficiency:
Protecting water quality and reducing water consumption are fundamental objectives during the sustainable construction process. The conservation and protection of water throughout a building’s life cycle may be accomplished by designing dual plumbing systems. These systems will efficiently recycle water when a toilet flushes. In addition, water may be conserved during the lifecycle, by installing low-flush toilets or low-flow shower heads. 
Point of use water treatment and heating systems also improve both the water quality and the efficiency of energy by reducing the amount of total water in circulation. 
Sustainable Construction and Waste Reduction:

A sustainable construction project will seek to reduce waste or byproducts; the materials and water used during the construction of a sustainable structure will be preserved as much as possible. During the building phase, a sustainable construction project will limit the amount of material that is transferred to land-fills. An efficiently-designed building will also help reduce the amount of waste generated by the occupants by providing various on-site solutions, such as compost bins. 

Understanding Promissory Estoppel

Understanding Promissory Estoppel

  
Promissory estoppel is one of the broad categories of reliance-based estoppels. Promissory estoppel is differentiated from the other two forms of reliance-based estoppel, estoppel by representation of fact and proprietary estoppel, in that promissory estoppel applies where one person makes a promise to another person, but there is no contract that can be enforced to make the person carry out the promised action.


In order for promissory estoppel to apply, the party that has been victimized must prove in court that there was both an inducement and a detrimental reliance. In other words, there has to be evidence that one party intended for the victim to act on the promise or representation, or the victim must satisfy the court that their actions were a reasonable response to the relevant promise or representation. 


The victim must also show that the actions that the victim engaged in were either reasonable or were the intended response to the representation made, and that the victim would suffer a loss or detriment at the current moment  in the event the other party were permitted to be released from the assumed obligation. For the courts to find that promissory estoppel applies it must be shown that it would be unconscionable to allow the party to benefit from their actions.


Promissory estoppel and estoppel by representation of fact are mutually exclusive concepts. Estoppel by representation of fact is based on a representation of some mixture of law and fact, while promissory estoppel is based on a promise to fail to exercise a previously existing right.

Contractor Explained

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.  

Using A Contract Termination Letter

Using A Contract Termination Letter

A contract termination letter template may be used by a company in order to ensure that they terminate any contract in which they are currently in a method that will completely avoid further complications which can cause further disputes.
A contract termination letter template can be created to create an employment contract termination letter, a business contract termination letter, or a construction contract termination letter. These three contract termination letter types are the most common, which means that one of these three contract termination letter templates is most likely to be encountered or needed.
The essential elements to include in a contract termination letter are the names and specifications that can be used to identify the party to the contract who is receiving the contract termination letter. The contract termination letter should contain an opportunity to refer to the terms and conditions that were present in the original contract that empowers the party to terminate the contract.
If the contract termination letter involves a contract that requires the party breaking to contract to provide monetary compensation for breaking the contract, it is essential that the contract termination letter mentions how the payment will be provided.
A contract termination letter must include the code under which the individual gains the authorization to terminate the contract. This restriction primarily applies to a contract termination letter provided by a company to an employee. 
A contract termination letter should be completely professional.

Contract Law Defined

Contract Law Defined

Contract law is defined as the body of law that governs oral and written contracts.  Included in contract law are topics on the nature of contracts, limitation of actions, breach of contract, termination of contract, and many more.  Put simply, contract law deals with the legal issues surrounding the formation, duration, breaching, or termination of contracts.  
For example, the Uniform Commercial Code is used in contract law to harmonize the law of sales and commercial interactions in the United States.  This Code is used in almost every state and is considered the standard in most states regarding laws on the sale of goods.  The Uniform Commercial Code is a long-standing act in contract law, a collaboration between the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws (NCCUSL) and the American Law Institute.


Breach of Contract
One of the most prevalent subjects in contract law is the idea of a breach of contract. A breach of contract is a legal concept characterized by one or more parties failing to honor the provisions stated in a contract.  For example, if an employee signs a non-compete agreement with an employer and begins his or her own company after being fired, he or she can be sued for breaching the contract.  Breaches of contract come in four main types:

Minor Breach
A minor breach of contract, also referred to as an immaterial breach, occurs when the non-breaching company is entitled only to compensatory damages.  

Material Breach
Unlike a minor breach, a material breach allows the non-breaching party to collect damages and a court-obligated performance of conditions stated in the contract.

Fundamental Breach
A fundamental breach, also referred to as an anticipatory repudiation, is a breach of contract so tangible that it may allow the non-breaching party to terminate the contract.  The party is then entitled to also sue for damages.


Anticipatory Breach
An anticipatory breach, also known as anticipatory repudiation, is when one party indicates that it will be unable to perform as the contract states, or that future non-performance is unavoidable.  In this case, the anticipatory breach may be treated as an actual breach and the non-breaching party can then sue for damages.
Avoiding a breach of contract is important for many different reasons.  For example, breaching a contract can lead to legal fees, a damaged business reputation, and damages.  These damages may include:

Compensatory damages
Compensatory damages are damages used to compensate for losses in order to bring the non-breaching party back to the position before the breach.


Nominal damages

Nominal damages are awarded when a breach occurs with no measureable financial loss.

Punitive damages
Punitive damages are made to the non-breaching party whose payment can extend beyond the financial losses of the breach.  They are meant to punish “wrongful acts” and are not specially aimed to remedy breaches of contract law.

Liquidated damages
Liquidated damages are identified by parties in the contract itself.
In addition to damages, a breach of contract may also bring specific performance or cancellation and restitution.  In specific performance, the court orders that the breaching party perform duties written into the contract.  In cancellation and restitution, the non-breaching party receives damages and is entitled to cancel the contract, voiding its terms.

Enforcing a Contract

To collect these remedies for breaches of contract, parties usually turn to small claims court.  However, going to small claims court can cost a significant amount of time and money in court appearances and court fees.  Many times, the parties will choose to go in another direction.  In these cases, a dispute may be brought to mediation or arbitration. 

Lawsuit
In most cases, the non-breaching party will sue for damages in small claims court.  A lawsuit can result in a number of remedies for the breached contract, including damages, specific performance, and cancellation and restitution.  A lawsuit can provide damages that will provide the non-breaching company with remedy for the breached contract, especially if it is measurable by the court.

Mediation
Mediation involves both parties working with a mediator to find ways to resolve the contract dispute.  A mediator is responsible for finding a solution that works for both parties.  Mediation allows the parties to minimize risk and control costs.  

Arbitration
Arbitration is similar to mediation in that there is a third party reviewing the dispute.  However, since arbitration is mandatory and legally binding (most of the time), many people will choose to undergo mediation instead of arbitration.

Oral Contract Vs Implied Contract?

Oral Contract Vs Implied Contract?

According to contract law, an oral contract is not considered an implied contract. An oral contract is an agreement that is agreed upon only by spoken communication. Although an oral contract originates from the mouth, it is common for a written contract to be created after the oral contract is stated.
In contract law, oral contracts are considered just as valid as written contracts. Some jurisdictions require that a contract be written up after an oral contract is made. Within this type of circumstance, the document must state that the original agreement was created verbally. 
An implied contract is an agreement that is not generally agreed upon. Instead, it is something that is more assumed to be followed. An example of this type of contract would be an employment contract where the employer does not specify hours but does specify the total amount of time required to be worked. 

Read This Before Filing A Petition of Revocation

Read This Before Filing A Petition of Revocation

A petition of revocation can be filed by any citizen of the United States in the event that they feel that they or others have suffered as a result of any granted permission to an entity to act. There exists a wide variety of possibilities to file a petition of revocation, which range from Federal and governmental levels to civic and commercial levels. Due to the fact that expressed permission was granted, a petition of revocation of that expressed permission must be filed in order to eradicate the expressed permission in question.
For instance, in the event that a liquor store has been suspected of selling alcohol to minors, the police, local government, or concerned citizen(s) can choose to file a petition for the revocation of that particular establishment’s license to sell alcohol.
A petition of revocation can both be filed as a suit in and of itself, or it can be added onto to a preexisting sentence. In this example, the liquor store could be fined for its misconduct, or it could be both fined in tandem with the revocation of its license.

Act for the Prevention of Frauds

Act for the Prevention of Frauds

The Act for the Prevention of
Frauds and Perjuries was an English law established in 1677 in order to prevent
perjuries in regards to legal contracts and agreements. It is from the Act for
the Prevention of Frauds and Perjuries that the Statute of Frauds was taken.

The Statute of Frauds is a
legal policy that requires certain contracts to be created in written form.
Unlike many agreements, these specified contracts are not legally binding
unless a written contract is created to regulate and govern these agreements.

Many agreements are covered
under the Statute of Frauds, including contracts related to marriages and real
estate transactions. This policy, which was initially detailed in the Act for
the Prevention of Frauds and Perjuries, continues to be used in many locations
today. In the United States, certain agreements cannot be considered legally
binding unless they are accompanied by a written contract.

 

Deed Poll

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.

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