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6 United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods Article 17 An
offer, even if it is irrevocable, is terminated when a rejection reaches the offeror.
In the case of Alluminium Industrie Vaassen Bv V Romalpa Aluminum Ltd. (1979) 1WLR
676 Aluminum industry, a Dutch company sold a quantity of aluminum foil to Romalpa, an
English company. The terms of the delivery were ex-works. The contract contained an
extended title clause. A receiver was appointed for Romalpa. The court of appeal held that
Aluminum Industry were entitled to the property in goods supplied by them and still being
in existence. As regards the goods resold by Romalpa had acted as agents and were,
therefore, in a fiduciary relationship to them.
Acceptance
Section 2 of the Contracts Act 2010 defines an “Acceptance” to mean an assent to an
offer made by a person to whom the offer is made. It’s a final unqualified expression of an
assent to all the terms of an offer.
Acceptance is the agreement to the specific conditions of an offer.
Article 18 of the UN Convection for International Sale of Goods (CISG) Acceptance is a
statement made by or other conduct of the offeree indicating assent to an offer. Silence or
inactivity does not in itself amount to acceptance.
The general rule is that acceptance must be communicated to the offeror and silence will
not amount to a valid acceptance.
The acceptance must be unconditional and unqualified. In Nothhern Airlines Ltd. V
Dennis Ferranti Meters Ltd. (1970) 114 SJ 845 the seller, a company in UK negotiated
with the buyer’s a Canadian Company for the sale of an aircraft. The seller sent the
following telegram “Confirming sale to you, Aircraft please remit £5,000. – The buyers
replied: “this is to confirm your cable and purchase xxx aircraft, terms set out your cable-
£5,000 starting forward your laws to be held in trust for your account pending delivery
……..please confirm delivery to be made 30 days within this date” The seller did not reply
but sold the aircraft to a 3rd party at a higher price. The court of Appeal held that there was
no contract. The buyer’s reply introduced new terms, one as to payment and other as to
delivery and the sellers were bound to reply to this contract.
Forms of acceptance
Express Acceptance
Express acceptance occurs when the offeree clearly communicates their agreement to the
terms of the offer. This can be done through spoken or written words, such as saying “I
accept” or signing a document. In the case of Compagnie de Commerce et Commission
S.A.R.L Vs Parkinson Stove Co. Ltd (1953) 1 Llyods Rep 532. It was held that even
though the confirmation slip is not returned there may be a binding contract between the
parties
Implied Acceptance
Implied acceptance occurs when the offeree’s actions indicate their agreement to the terms
of the offer. For example, if someone orders a product online and the seller delivers the
product without any further communication, it is implied that the offer has been accepted.
Conditional Acceptance
Conditional acceptance happens when the offeree agrees to the offer but with certain
conditions attached. In this case, the acceptance is only valid if the conditions are met. If the
conditions are not fulfilled, then there is no valid acceptance.
Article 19 of the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of
Goods (CISG) provides for rules for formation of contract with modifications and
conditions
formation of a contract are:
1) offer, where one party proposes the terms of the agreement;
2) acceptance, where the other party agrees to the offered terms;
3) consideration, which involves the exchange of something of value between both parties;
4) intention to create legal relations, ...
Zurich Insurance Co. Ltd v Buba Commercial Bank
In this case, the court considered the issue of conditional acceptance in an international
trade transaction involving insurance coverage for goods being shipped. The buyer had
accepted the seller’s offer for insurance coverage, but with certain conditions related to the
scope and extent of coverage. The court analyzed the validity of the conditional acceptance
and its impact on the contractual relationship between the parties. The case provided
important insights into the enforceability of conditional acceptances in international trade
contracts.
Acceptance by Conduct
Acceptance by conduct occurs when the offeree accepts an offer through their conduct
rather than through explicit words or actions. This form of acceptance is often seen in
business transactions where parties act in a way that indicates their acceptance of an offer.
Tetley v. Chitty (1986): This case involved a dispute over the sale of hops between
Canadian and English parties. The Canadian seller sent a telex offering to sell hops to the
English buyer, who responded with a telex stating “please ship.” The Canadian seller then
shipped the hops but later claimed that there was no concluded contract. The court held
that the conduct of both parties indicated acceptance of the offer and thus established a
binding contract.
Acceptance by Silence Acceptance by silence, also known as passive acceptance, occurs
when the offeree does not explicitly communicate their agreement or disagreement
with the offer. In some jurisdictions, silence may be interpreted as acceptance under
specific circumstances, especially if there is a prior course of dealing between the parties
that indicates silence as a form of acceptance
Article 18 of UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG)
specifically deals with the acceptance of an offer and provides guidelines on when silence
can be considered as acceptance
Performance of a contract
In international trade, the performance of a contract is a critical aspect that governs the
obligations and responsibilities of the parties involved. The parties need to agree on which
that will govern the contract which can help in dispute resolution should it arise. These
includes delivery of goods, passing of property and risks involved. The parties can use
the laws of the importer or exporter for example the sale of goods and supply of services
Act 2017 apply. Parties can apply uniform laws such as the UN Convention on contracts for
the International sale of goods and supply of services Act 2017 which became operational
in 2018.
Elements of performance
Compliance with Contractual Terms: One of the fundamental aspects of contract
performance in international trade is adhering to the terms and conditions outlined in the
agreement.
Delivery of Goods or Services: In international trade, the timely and accurate delivery of
goods or services is crucial for contract performance.
Payment Obligations: The fulfillment of payment obligations is a significant aspect of
contract performance in international trade. Buyer and seller to adhere to terms of
payment.
Resolution of Disputes: Addressing disputes effectively is essential for maintaining
contract performance in international trade.
Delivery
In international trade, delivery refers to the process of transferring goods from the seller to
the buyer. If the parties chose the Ugandan law, the Sale of goods and supply of services
Act 2017 will apply.
Delivery means voluntary transfer of possession.
Goods are delivered to the buyer when he acquires custody of the goods or able to exercise
control over them. Article 30 of the UN Convention on Contracts for the International
Sale of Goods provides that, If the seller must deliver the goods, hand over any documents
relating to them and transfer the property in the goods, as required by the contract and this
Convention.
In the case of Grupo Torras SA v Al-Sabah (No 5) (1995) which involved a dispute over a
contract for the sale of oil products. The House of Lords clarified that under CIF contracts,
delivery takes place when the goods are handed over to the carrier at the port of shipment,
and risk passes to the buyer at that point. The decision reaffirmed the significance of
understanding delivery terms and their implications in international trade transactions.
Article 30, delivery according to a contract.
-34 of CISG
CIF,FOB,FAS
Passing of property
The passing of property refers to the transfer of ownership of goods from the seller to the
buyer. This process determines the rights and obligations of both parties involved in the
transaction.
A sale of goods or property implies a transfer or passing of ownership to the buyer.
The passing of property is an important aspect to help determine the liabilities and rights
of both the buyer and the seller. Once a property is passed to the buyer, then the risk in the
goods sold is that of the buyer and not the seller.
The seller has a duty to deliver and the buyer has a duty to accept and pay for the goods
subject to a contract of sale of goods. Delivery means voluntary transfer of possession. This
may not involve physical delivery of goods, since delivery may be actual or constructive.
Passing of property provides for two rules.
i. Where the property is not ascertained, the property will not pass until ascertained.
ii. Where the contract is for sale of specified goods, the property passes at such a time
that the parties intend.
Passing of Property
There are four primary rules that govern the passing of property:
Specific or Ascertained Goods
Passing of Unascertained Goods
Goods sent on approval or “on sale or return”
Transfer of property in case of reservation of the right to disposal
Implications of passing property.
The contract is for sale of unascertained goods,the property does not pass to the buyer
unless and until the goods or ascertain.
unascertained goods ,Goods that are not specifically identified at the time a contract of
sale is made. For example, in a contract for the sale of 1000 tonnes of soya bean meal, the
seller may deliver any 1000 tonnes that answer the contract description.
Ascertained goods: The goods which are identified and agreed upon after the formation
of contract of sale of goods are called ascertained goods. 3) Unascertained goods: The
goods which are not identified and agreed upon at the time when the contract of sale is
made are called unascertained goods.
if there is a contract for the sale of unascertained goods, then the passing of the
property of the goods to the buyer cannot happen unless the goods are ascertained.
The clause is effective and defeats the presumption that property passes when a bill of
lading is transferred to the buyer. The clause may be registered under the Chattel
Securities Act of 2016.
The retention of title clause extends to provide that a buyer if he/she sells goods shall do so
as an agent of the seller and shall act as a trustee of proceeds of sale to the benefit of a
seller.
The clause further gives the buyer the license to sell but also safeguard seller’s position
In the case of Alluminium Industrie Vaassen Bv V Romalpa Aluminum Ltd. (1979) 1WLR
676 Aluminum industry, a Dutch company sold a quantity of aluminum foil to Romalpa, an
English company. The terms of the delivery were ex-works. The contract contained an
extended title clause. A receiver was appointed for Romalpa. The court of appeal held that
Aluminum Industry were entitled to the property in goods supplied by them and still being
in existence. As regards the goods resold by Romalpa had acted as agents and were,
therefore, in a fiduciary relationship to them.
Disadvantages of Condition
1. Non-performance of a condition can lead to termination of the contract.
2. Failure to meet a condition may result in additional costs or penalties.
3. Conditions can be complex and difficult to negotiate or understand.
4. Enforcing conditions may require legal intervention and incur legal costs.
5. Non-compliance with conditions can strain business relationships.
6. The innocent party may face disruptions or delays in case of breach of
condition.
7. Conditions can limit flexibility in contract performance.
8. Disputes may arise regarding the interpretation or fulfillment of conditions.
9. Negotiating conditions may slow down the contracting process.
10.Conditions may vary depending on the industry or specific contract
requirements.
Warranty
Warranty is the additional stipulation and a written guarantee that is collateral to
the main purpose of the contract. The effect of a breach of a warranty is that the
aggrieved party cannot repudiate the whole contract however, can claim for the
damages. Unlike in the case of breach of condition, in the breach of warranty, the
buyer cannot treat the goods as repudiated.
Kinds of Warranty
Expressed Warranty
The warranties which are generally agreed by both the parties and are inserted in
the contract, it is said to be expressed warranties.
Implied Warranty
Implied warranties are those warranties which the parties assumed to have been
incorporated in the contract of sale despite the fact that the parties have not
specifically included them in the contract. Subject to the contract, the following are
the implied warranties in the contract of sale:
Warranty as to undisturbed possession
Section 14(2) of the given Act provides that there is an implied warranty that the
buyer shall enjoy the uninterrupted possession of goods. As a matter of fact, if the
buyer having got possession of the goods, is later disturbed at any point, he can sue
the seller for the breach of warranty.
For eg: ‘X’ purchased a second-hand bike from ‘Y’. Unknown to the fact that the bike
was a stolen one, he used the bike. Later, he was compelled to return the same. X is
entitled to sue Y for the breach of warranty.
Warranty as to freedom from Encumbrances
In Section 14(3), there is an implied warranty that the goods shall be free from any
charge or encumbrances that are in favour of any third party not known to the buyer.
But if it is proved that the buyer is known to the fact at the time of entering into the
contract, he will not be entitled to any claim.
For eg: A pledges his goods with C for a loan of Rs. 20000 and promises him to give
the possession. Later on, A sells those goods to B. B is entitled to claim the damages
if he suffers any.
Implied warranty to disclose Dangerous nature of the goods sold
If the goods sold are inherently dangerous or likely to be dangerous and the buyer is
not aware of the fact, it is the duty of the seller to warn the buyer for the probable
danger. If there would be a breach of this warranty, the seller will be liable.
For eg: A purchases a horse from B if the horse is violent and then It is the duty of the
seller to inform A about the probable danger. While riding the horse, A was inflicted
with serious injuries. A is entitled to claim damages from B.
A warranty is an ancillary term in a contract or sale that provides additional
assurances or guarantees regarding the quality, fitness, or performance of the goods.
It offers protection and compensation to the buyer in case the goods do not meet the
specified standards or requirements.
Advantages of Warranty
1. Provides assurances regarding the quality and performance of the goods.
2. Enhances customer confidence and trust in the product or service.
3. Offers protection against defects or non-conformities.
4. Allows for repairs, replacements, or refunds in case of non-compliance.
5. Supports marketing and sales efforts by promoting reliability and customer
satisfaction.
6. Helps build long-term customer relationships and loyalty.
7. Differentiates the product or service from competitors.
8. Provides a competitive advantage by assuring customers of the product's
quality.
9. Increases customer satisfaction and reduces the risk of product returns.
10.Allows for legal recourse and compensation in case of breach.
Disadvantages of Warranty
1. Fulfilling warranty obligations may result in additional costs for the seller.
2. Warranty claims may require resources and time to investigate and process.
3. Warranty terms and conditions can be complex and subject to interpretation.
4. Disputes may arise regarding the coverage or exclusions of the warranty.
5. Warranty claims can strain customer relationships and trust.
6. False or fraudulent warranty claims can lead to financial losses for the seller.
7. Extended warranty periods can create financial risks for the seller.
8. Warranty terms may vary across jurisdictions, requiring compliance with different regulations.
9. Inaccurate or misleading warranty information can damage the seller's reputation.
10. Warranty claims can lead to administrative burdens and paperwork for both parties.