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Special Contracts
In India, the Law of Contracts is contained in the Indian Contract
Act,1872.
The Act lays down the general principles relating to formation,
performance and enforceability of contracts and the rules relating to
certain special types of contracts like Indemnity and Guarantee;
Bailment and Pledge, and Agency.
The Partnership Act; the Sale of Goods Act; the Negotiable
Instruments Act; though technically belonging to the Law of
Contracts, have been covered by separate enactments
Indemnity
A contract by which one party promise to save the other from loss
caused to him by the conduct of the promisor himself or by the
conduct of any other person is a Contract of Indemnity"
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X contracts to indemnify Y against the consequences of any
proceedings which Z may take against Y in respect of a certain
sum This is a contract of Indemnity.
The definition provides the following essential elements There must be a loss
The loss must be caused either by the promisor or by any other
person.
Indemnifier is liable only for the loss.
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Rights of the indemnity holder
The promisee (Indemnity holder) in a contract of indemnity, acting
within the scope of his authority, is entitled to recover from the
promisor
All damages that he is compelled to pay in a suit in respect of any
matter to which the promise of indemnity applies.
All costs that he is compelled to pay in any such suit
All sums which he may have paid under the terms of a
compromise in any such suite
Disadvantages of Indemnity
An indemnity holder cannot hold the indemnifier liable until he
has suffered an actual loss.
This is a great disadvantage to the indemnity holder in cases
where the loss is imminent and he is not in the position to bear the
loss
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Contract of Guarantee
A contract of guarantee is a contract to perform the promise, or
to discharge the liabilities of a third person in case of his default.
The person who gives the guarantee is called Surety, the person
in respect of whose default the guarantee is given is called
Principal Debtor, and the person to whom the guarantee is
given is called Creditor.
A Guarantee may be either oral or written."
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A guarantee obtained by misrepresenting facts that are
material to the agreement is invalid,
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Rights of the Surety
Guarantee being a contract, all rights that are available to the
parties of a contract are available to a surety as well.
The following are the rights specific to a contract of
guarantee that are available to the surety.
Rights against principal debtor
1. Right of Subrogation : Where a guaranteed debt has become
due, the surety upon payment is invested with all the rights
which the creditor had against the principal debtor.
This means that the surety steps into the shoes of the creditor
Whatever rights the creditor had, are now available to the
surety after paying the debt.
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Right to get Indemnified
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Right of set off : If the creditor sues the surety, the surety may have
the benefit of the set off, if any, that the principal debtor had against
the creditor.
He is entitled to use the defences that the principal debtor has against
the creditor.
Thus if the creditor owes the principal debtor something, for which
the principal debtor could have counter claimed, then the surety can
also put up that counter claim.
Discharge of Surety
A surety is said to be discharged from liability when his liability
comes to an end.
A variance made without the consent of the surety in terms of the
contract between the principal debtor and the creditor, discharges the
surety as to the transactions after the variance.
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The surety is discharged by any contract between the creditor and
the principal debtor by which the principal debtor is discharged;
The liability of a surety is co-extensive with that of the principal
debtor, unless it is otherwise provided in the contract.
Main Differences between Indemnity and Guarantee
In a contract of indemnity there are two parties i.e. indemnifier and
indemnified. A contract of guarantee involves three parties i.e.
creditor, principal debtor and surety.
An indemnity is for reimbursement of a loss, while a guarantee is
for security of the creditor.
In a contract of indemnity the liability of the indemnifier is primary
and arises when the contingent event occurs. In case of contract of
guarantee the liability of surety is secondary and arises when the
principal debtor defaults.
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The indemnifier after performing his part of the promise has no
rights against the third party, whereas in a contract of
guarantee, the surety steps into the shoes of the creditor on
discharge of his liability, and may sue the principal debtor
Guarantees and Debt Instruments by Corporates
It is very common in a business transaction to support a loan
with a bank guarantee
However in 2009 RBI had to intervene with a regulation
which had the effect of banning banks from issuing guarantees
in the case of corporate debt instruments like debentures
This essentially followed SBIs guarantee to Tata Motors Rs
4,200 crore non-convertible debentures (NCDs) in May 2009
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Bailment and Pledge
A 'bailment' involves the delivery of goods by one
person to another for some purpose upon a contract
that they shall, when the purpose is accomplished be
returned or disposed of according to the directions of
the person delivering them.
The person delivering the goods is called the 'bailor'
and the person to whom the goods are delivered is
called the 'bailee'.
The examples of a contract of bailment are:-leaving
luggage in a cloak room; leaving garments with a
tailor etc.
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The important feature of bailment is the transfer of possession.
The ownership remains with the owner and there cannot be a
bailment of immovable property like land.
Pledge
A 'pledge' involves a bailment of goods where the goods are
delivered as a security for payment of a debt or performance of a
promise.
The bailor is called the 'pledgor' or 'pawnor' and the bailee is called
the 'pledgee' or 'pawnee'.
Thus, pledge is a special kind of bailment and can be made only of
movable properties.
In order to make the pledge legally valid it is essential that the
pledgor has the legal right/title to retain the goods.
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Main Differences between Bailment and Pledge
Purpose:- A pledge is made for a specific purpose (to raise a
loan), while bailment can be made for any purpose
Property:- In bailment, the bailee gets only the possession of
goods bailed and the ownership remains with the bailor.
In the case of pledge, the pledgee acquires a special property
in the goods pledged whereby he gets possession coupled
with the power of sale, on default.
Right of sale :- Bailee can exercise a lien on the goods bailed
and he has no right of sale (lien means the right to retain
possession)
But in case of a pledge, the pledgee can sell the goods after
due notice to pledgor.
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Contract of Agency
Agency is a special type of contract.
The principles of contract of agency are
1. Except matters of a personal nature, what all things a person can do
himself can also be done through agent
2. A person acting through an agent is acting himself, i.e. act of agent is
act of Principal. - Since agency is a contract, all general requirements of a valid
contract are applicable to agency contract also
One important distinction is that no consideration is necessary to
create an agency.
An agent is a person employed to do any act for another or to
represent another in dealings with third persons.
The person for whom such act is done, or who is so represented, is
called the principal
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Any person who is of the age of majority and who is of sound mind,
may employ an agent.
As between the principal and third persons any person may become
an agent, but no person who is not of the age of majority and of
sound mind can become an agent, so as to be responsible to his
principal
An agent can act on behalf of Principal and can bind the Principal.
Agents main duties to Principal
Conducting principals business as per his directions
Carry out work with normal skill and diligence
Render proper accounts
Agents duty to communicate with principal
Agents duty to pay sums received for principal
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Main Powers of Principal
Recover damages from agent if he disregards directions of Principal
Obtain accounts from Agent
Recover moneys collected by Agent on behalf of Principal
Main Duties of Principal
Pay remuneration to agent if it is agreed
Indemnify agent for lawful acts done by him as agent
Indemnify Agent for all acts done by him in good faith
Indemnify agent if he suffers loss due to neglect or lack of skill of
Principal.
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Termination of Agency
An agency is terminated by
1. the principal revoking his authority; or
2. by the agent renouncing the business of the agency or;
3. by the business of the agency being completed; or
4. by either the principal or agent dying or principal becoming a
person of unsound mind; or
5. by the principal being adjudicated an insolvent
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Sale of Goods
Sale of Goods is one of the special types of Contract and
initially this was part of Indian Contract Act itself
Later on a separate Sale of Goods Act was passed in 1930.
The Sale of Goods Act is complimentary to Contract Act.
Fundamental provisions of Contract Act apply to contract of
Sale of Goods also.
Thus provisions dealing with offer and acceptance, legally
enforceable agreement, mutual consent, parties competent to
contract, free consent, lawful object, consideration etc. apply
to contract of Sale of Goods also.
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Goods means every kind of movable property other than
actionable claims and money; and includes stock and shares,
growing crops, grass, and things attached to or forming part of the
land which are agreed to be severed before sale or under the contract
of sale.
Conditions and Warranties
Stipulation in a contract of sale with reference to goods which are the
subject thereof may be a condition or a warranty.
A condition is a stipulation essential to the main purpose of the
contract, the breach of which gives rise to a right to treat the contract
as cancelled.
A warranty is a stipulation collateral to the main purpose of the
contract, the breach of which gives rise to a claim for damages but
not to a right to reject the goods and treat the contract as cancelled
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Partnership
Partnership is one of the special types of Contract and earlier this was
part of Indian Contract Act itself but later converted into separate Act
in 1932.
The Indian Partnership Act is complimentary to Contract Act.
Basic provisions of Contract Act apply to contract of partnership
also.
Basic requirements of contract i.e. legally enforceable agreement,
mutual consent, parties competent to contract, free consent, lawful
object, consideration etc. apply to partnership contract
One crucial disadvantage of partnership is the unlimited liability of
partners for the debts and liabilities of the firm.
Any partner can bind the firm and the firm is liable for all liabilities
incurred by any firm on behalf of the firm.
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The partners must come together to share profits and the share need
not be in proportion to funds contributed by each partner.
Even though sharing of profit is essential, sharing of losses is not an
essential condition for partnership
Since partnership is an agreement there must be minimum two
partners.
In case of partnership, the number of members must not exceed 100,
however this cap of 100 is not applicable if it is formed by
professionals who are governed by special Acts (e.g. Chartered
Accountants, Lawyers etc)
Dissolution of a firm can be a) By agreement ,
b) Compulsory dissolution in case of insolvency
c) Dissolution on happening of certain contingency
d) By notice
e) Dissolution by Court
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Limited Liability Partnership
The concept of limited liability partnership (LLP) has been
introduced in India by the Limited Liability Partnership Act 2008,
which came into force from April 1, 2009
LLP tries to combine the advantages of ease of running a Partnership
and separate legal entity status and limited liability aspect of a
Company.
LLP is a separate legal entity separate from its partners, can own
assets in its name, sue and be sued.
Unlike corporate shareholders, the partners have the right to manage
the business directly
One partner is not responsible or liable for another partners
misconduct or negligence.
Compulsory registration to be done with Registrar of Companies
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LLP
LLP
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Both LLP and person, who own it, are separate entities and both
functions separately.
Liability for repayment of debts and lawsuits incurred by the LLP
lies on it and not the owner.
A LLP as legal entity is capable of owning its funds and other
properties, the LLP is the real person in which all the property is
vested and by which it is controlled, managed and disposed off.
The LLP Act contains enabling provisions pursuant to which a firm
(set up under Indian Partnership Act, 1932) and private company or
unlisted public company (incorporated under Companies Act) would
be able to convert themselves into LLPs
However converting an LLP into a company would not be allowed
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Negotiable Instruments Act 1881
Negotiable instruments play a very vital role in modern day
transactions
These are the principal instruments for making payments and
discharging various obligations
To be simple a negotiable instrument is a transferable
document which satisfies certain terms and conditions
Since they are transferable, they pass on freely from hand to
hand and thereby form an essential part of modern day
commercial transactions
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Essential features of negotiable instruments
Negotiable instruments are easily transferable from person to person
and the ownership of the property in the instrument is passed on by
mere delivery, if it is bearer instrument,
In the cases of order instruments, property in the instrument is passed
on by endorsement and delivery
Transferability is an essential feature of a negotiable instrument
A negotiable instrument confers absolute and good title on the
transferee, who takes it in good faith, for value and without notice
of the transferors defective title on the said instrument
Illustration X sells his mobile phone to Y, who makes the payment
through a bearer cheque. Even if Y has stolen this cheque from Z,
still X will get good title over the said cheque if he has exercised
reasonable care at the time of taking the cheque.
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Thus a negotiable instrument is an exception to the
general rule that the transferor cannot transfer title
better than what he himself possesses
Promissory note
Promissory note is an instrument in writing which
contains an unconditional promise signed by the
maker to pay a certain sum of money only to a certain
person or to the order of certain person or to the
bearer of the instrument (Sec 4, N.I. Act 1881)
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Bill of Exchange
It is an instrument in writing which contains an unconditional
order signed by the maker, directing a certain person to pay a
certain sum of money only to a certain person or to the order
of certain person or to the bearer of the instrument (Sec 5, N.I
Act 1881)
Generally this is in the form of an order from the creditor to
the debtor to pay a certain sum of money to a person specified.
The maker of the bill is called the drawer, person who is
directed to pay is called the drawee and the person who is
entitled to receive payment is called the payee
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In many occasions the drawer can be the payee also
Cheque
Cheque is a bill of exchange drawn on a specified
banker and not expressed to be payable otherwise
than on demand
Thus in the case of a cheque the drawee is always a
banker and a cheque is only payable upon demand
Whereas other bills of exchange are payable after a
period of time specified therein, in the case of cheque
it is payable only after a demand is made
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Similarities/ Dissimilarities between Promissory note, Bills
of Exchanges and Cheques
The law makes it clear that all these instruments should be in
writing
A cheque and a bill of exchange contain an order to the drawee
to pay the money whereas the promissory note there is an
undertaking by the maker to pay his creditor
Thus in the case of cheque and a bill of exchange the drawer
makes an unconditional order on another person to pay the
money, while in the case of the promissory note the drawer
himself promises to pay
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In the case of a promissory note, bill of exchange and a
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Concept of Negotiability
Illustration : Assume that A has sold his laptop to B
for Rs 40,000/- on three months credit.
In order to ensure that B will pay the money after
three months, A may write an order addressed to B
that he has to pay after three months, for value of
goods received by him, (i.e.Rs.40,000/) to A or
anyone holding the order and presenting it before
him (B) for payment.
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The ease at which the property in a document transfers from one
person to another signifies the negotiability of the instrument.
This very often happens in the case of a cheque also
if A issues a ICICI Bank cheque worth Rs. 5,000/ in favour of B,
then B can claim Rs. 5,000/- from ICICI Bank, (A-Drawer, ICICIDrawee, B-Payee) or
B can transfer it to C to meet any obligation, like paying back a loan
that he might have taken from C. (B-Endorser, C-Endorsee)
Once B transfers it, C gets a right to Rs. 5,000/- and C can transfer it
to D if needed.
Such transfers may continue till the payment is finally made to
somebody.
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Dr. V.K. Unni
Public Policy & Management Group
Indian Institute of Management Calcutta
E-mail: unniv@iimcal.ac.in
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