How to Study Contract Law?

Contract law is a broad and complex area of law that covers a wide range of topics. First, you need to familiarise yourself with the syllabus. Some of the key topics that are typically included in the study of contract law include:

Formation of Contracts. This covers the process by which contracts are formed, including offer and acceptance, consideration, and the legality of the agreement.

Contents of Contracts. This covers the elements that must be present in a contract, including the terms and conditions of the agreement, warranties and representations, and any clauses that may limit or exempt liability.

Performance and Breach of Contracts. This covers the rights and obligations of parties to a contract, including the duty to perform according to the terms of the agreement, remedies for breach of contract, and defences to breach of contract.

Termination of Contracts. This covers the circumstances in which contracts can be terminated, including termination for cause, termination for convenience, and frustration of contract.

Remedies for Breach of Contract. This covers the types of relief available to a party who has been damaged by a breach of contract, including damages, specific performance, and injunctive relief.

Contractual Interpretation. This covers the principles that courts use to interpret the terms of a contract, including the interpretation of ambiguous terms, the application of implied terms, and the role of trade usage.

Contractual Capacity. This covers the requirements for capacity to enter into a contract, including the age of majority, mental capacity, and contractual capacity of corporations.

Contractual Mistake. This covers the doctrine of mistake and its impact on the enforceability of contracts, including common law and equitable mistakes, and mutual and unilateral mistakes.

Second, you need to know how to answer the following basic questions and case law. Here are some sample questions you may ask yourself to see if you understand the topics.

1. What is the definition of a contract?
2. What are the essential elements of a valid contract?
3. Can a contract be formed without a written agreement?
4. What is the difference between express and implied contracts?
5. What is the concept of consideration in contract law?
6. What is the difference between bilateral and unilateral contracts?
7. What is the doctrine of mistake in contract law and how does it affect the enforceability of a contract?
8. What is the concept of frustration of purpose in contract law?
9. What is the difference between void and voidable contracts?
10. What are the remedies available for breach of contract and how are they determined?
11. What is the concept of good faith and fair dealing in contract law?
12. What is the statute of frauds and how does it apply to contracts?
13. What is the principle of contractual capacity and how does it affect the formation of contracts?
14. What is the concept of agency in contract law and how does it impact the formation of contracts?

Finally, you will be asked to answer essay questions and problem questions in the contract law exam, so you need to make sure you can write a fully-fledged essay on the following topics with reference to appropriate case law.

1. Discuss the essential elements of a valid contract and explain their significance in the formation and enforceability of a contract.
2. Analyse the role of consideration in contract law, including the types of consideration that are recognised and the requirements for a valid consideration.
3. Compare and contrast bilateral and unilateral contracts, explaining the key differences between the two and the impact of each on the enforceability of a contract.
4. Evaluate the concept of mistake in contract law, including the types of mistakes that may affect the validity of a contract and the legal remedies available for mistakes.
5. Examine the principle of frustration of purpose in contract law and discuss the circumstances under which this principle may be invoked to excuse performance of a contract.
6. Analyse the remedies available for breach of contract, including specific performance, monetary damages, and injunctive relief, and explain how a court determines the appropriate remedy in a given situation.
7. Discuss the role of good faith and fair dealing in contract law, including its significance in the formation and performance of contracts and the remedies available for its breach.
8. Evaluate the statute of frauds, including its purpose and the types of contracts it applies to, and discuss the implications of its application for the enforceability of a contract.
9. Discuss the principle of contractual capacity, including the requirements for contractual capacity and the implications of a lack of contractual capacity for the enforceability of a contract.
10. Evaluate the concept of agency in contract law, including the types of agency relationships and the impact of agency on the formation and performance of contracts.

These questions are just a few examples of the types of essay questions you might encounter in a contract law exam. The specific questions and format of the exam will depend on your professor. Check out our study notes for Contract Law.