Exam 16: Written Contracts

The original Statute of Frauds is the English law that began the practice of requiring written evidence of certain kinds of contracts,but now the British government has repealed the writing requirement for most contracts.

The Uniform Commercial Code provides that,under certain circumstances,a merchant may be liable on a written contract,even though that merchant has NOT signed it.

Bry,Inc.and Gangl Co.entered into an oral agreement for the sale of 3,000 sweaters.Both parties performed as required under the contract.Bry delivered the sweaters,and Gangl accepted and paid for them.Since the contract is fully executed,it makes no difference that it was an oral agreement.

The Uniform Electronic Transmission Act (UETA)

Alfred orally promised to pay Robert a salary of $30,000 per year for five years and his moving expenses up to $10,000 if Robert would quit his job and come to work for him at his manufacturing plant.Robert agreed to do so,but requested a written contract.Alfred assured him that the company attorney would prepare such a contract as soon as possible,but Alfred needed Robert to start at once.Accordingly,Robert sold his house,moved his family,and commenced to work for Alfred.He was fired without cause two months later.No written contract was ever executed.Can Robert enforce Alfred's oral promise?