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As per Section 125 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872 the following rights
are available to the promisee/ the indemnified/ indemnityholder against
the promisor/ indemnifier, provided he has acted within the scope of his
authority.
Indian Contract Act, 1872 does not provide the time of the
commencement of the indemnifier’s liability under the
contract of indemnity. But different High Courts in India
have held the following rules in this regard:
*Indemnifier is not liable until the indemnified has
suffered the loss.
*Indemnified can compel the indemnifier to make good his
loss although he has not discharged his liability. In the
leading case of Gajanan Moreshwar vs. Moreshwar
Madan(1942), an observation was made by the judge that
“ If the indemnified has incurred a liability and the liability
is absolute, he is entitled to call upon the indemnifier to
save him from the liability and pay it off”
Thus, Contract of Indemnity is a special contract in which one party to a
contract (i.e. the indemnifier) promises to save the other (i.e. the
indemnified) from loss caused to him by the conduct of the promisor
himself, or by the conduct of any other person. Section 124 and 125 of
the Indian Contract Act, 1872 are applicable to these types of contracts.
Case study
Two furniture dealers Ram and Sham makes a contract in which
RAM provide Sham furniture and in return Sham pays for the
same . In addition Ram incurred the transportation expenses
while holding all the liabilities of the furniture . During the
transportation most the furniture got damaged .
Then who is liable for the damage ?
SOLUTION : According to the contract Ram is liable to compensate the loss happen to the
furniture during transporation .
CONTRACT OF GUARANTEE
Contract of Guarantee means a contract to perform the promises made or discharge the liabilities
of the third person in case of his failure to discharge such liabilities.
“A contract of guarantee is a contract to perform the promise or discharge the liability of the
defaulting party in case he fails to fulfill his promise.”
Principal Debtor: A principal debtor is a person for whom the guarantee is given in a contract of
guarantee.
Creditor: The person to whom the guarantee is given is known as the creditor.
EXAMPLE: Mr. X advances a loan of 25000 to Mr. Y and Mr. Z promise that in case Mr. Y fails to
repay the loan, then he will repay the same. In this case of a contract of guarantee, Mr. X is a
Creditor, Mr. Y is a principal debtor and Mr. Z is a Surety.
ESSENTIALS OF A CONTRACT OF
GUARANTEE
ALL the three parties to the contract i.e the principal debtor, the creditor, and the surety must
agree to make such a contract with the agreement of each other. Here it is important to note that
the surety takes his responsibility to be liable for the debt of the principal debtor only on the
request of the principal debtor. Hence communication either express or implied by the principal
debtor to the surety is necessary. The communication of the surety with the creditor to enter into
a contract of guarantee without the knowledge of the principal debtor will not constitute a contract
of guarantee.
EXAMPLE
Sam lends money to Akash. Sam is the creditor and Akash is the principal debtor. Sam
approaches Raghav to act as the surety without any information to Akash. Raghav agrees. This
is not valid.
2) CONSIDERATION
According to section 127 of the act, anything is done or any promise made for the benefit of the
principal debtor is sufficient consideration to the surety for giving the guarantee. The
consideration must be a fresh consideration given by the creditor and not a past consideration. It
is not necessary that the guarantor must receive any consideration and sometimes even
tolerance on the part of the creditor in case of default is also enough consideration.
EXAMPLE
In State Bank of India v Premco Saw Mill(1983), the State Bank gave notice to the
debtor-defendant and also threatened legal action against her, but her husband agreed to
become surety and undertook to pay the liability and also executed a promissory note in favor of
the State Bank and the Bank refrained from threatened action. It was held that such patience and
acceptance on the bank’s part constituted good consideration for the surety.
3) LIABILITY
In a contract of guarantee, the liability of a surety is secondary. This means that since the primary
contract was between the creditor and principal debtor, the liability to fulfill the terms of the
contract lies primarily with the principal debtor. It is only on the default of the principal debtor that
the surety is liable to repay.
The main function of a contract of guarantee is to secure the payment of the debt taken by the
principal debtor. If no such debt exists then there is nothing left for the surety to secure. Hence in
cases when the debt is time-barred or void, no liability of the surety arises. The House of Lords in
the Scottish case of Swan vs. Bank of Scotland (1836) held that if there is no principal debt, no
valid guarantee can exist.
Since a contract of guarantee is a type of contract, all the essentials of a valid contract will apply
in contracts of guarantee as well. Thus, all the essential requirements of a valid contract such as
free consent, valid consideration offer, and acceptance, intention to create a legal relationship etc
are required to be fulfilled.
6) NO CONCEALMENT OF FACTS
The creditor should disclose to the surety the facts that are likely to affect the surety’s liability.
The guarantee obtained by the concealment of such facts is invalid. Thus, the guarantee is
invalid if the creditor obtains it by the concealment of material facts.
7) NO MISREPRESENTATION
The guarantee should not be obtained by misrepresenting the facts to the surety. Though the
contract of guarantee is not a contract of Uberrima fides i.e., of absolute good faith, and thus,
does not require complete disclosure of all the material facts by the principal debtor or creditor to
the surety before he enters into a contract. But the facts, that are likely to affect the extent of
surety’s responsibility, must be truly represented.
A contract of guarantee may either be oral or written. It may be express or implied from
the conduct of parties.
CONTINUING GUARANTEE
A continuing guarantee is defined under section 129 of the Indian Contract Act,1872. A
continuing guarantee is a type of guarantee which applies to a series of transactions. It applies to
all the transactions entered into by the principal debtor until it is revoked by the surety. Therefore
Bankers always prefer to have a continuing guarantee so that the guarantor’s liability is not
limited to the original advances and would also extend to all subsequent debts.
EXAMPLE
b) On M’s recommendation S, a wealthy landlord employs P as his estate manager. It was the
duty of P to collect rent every month from the tenants of S and remit the same to S before the
15th of each month. M, guarantee this arrangement and promises to make good any default
made by P. This is a contract of continuing guarantee.
The most important feature of a continuing guarantee is that it applies to a series of separable,
distinct transactions. Therefore, when a guarantee is given for an entire consideration, it cannot
be termed as a continuing guarantee.
So far as a guarantee given for an existing debt is concerned, it cannot be revoked, as once an
offer is accepted it becomes final. However, a continuing guarantee can be revoked for future
transactions. In that case, the surety shall be liable for those transactions which have already
taken place.
Illustration
A guarantees to B to the extent of Rs. 10,000, that C shall pay for all the goods bought by him
during the next three months. B sells goods worth Rs. 6,000 to C. A gives notice of revocation,
C is liable for Rs. 6,000. If any goods are sold to C after the notice of revocation, A shall not be,
liable for that.
3).Any variation in the terms of the contract between the principal debtor and the
creditor
without surety’s consent.
4). If the creditor releases the principal debtor, the surety also automatically discharges.
5).When the creditor makes an arrangement for composition or promises to give time or
not
sue the principal debtor without surety’s consent, the surety will be discharged.
6) .Any act or omission to do an act by the creditor which results in harming the rights of
the surety, and also impairs the eventual remedy of the surety himself against the
principal debtor, discharges the surety.
7).Where the creditor loses or parts with any security which he receives from the
principal debtor without the consent of the surety, this discharges the value of such
security
.
CASE STUDY
A , B went to a stationary shop [ C is the owner ] . A wanted to buy
a book but he didn’t had money at that point of time , so he ask C
that he will pay later . And for surance C ask B whether A is
capable to pay for it or not but B denies to give any surance fot
that . Therefore later on C agrees to give A the book .
Question : Whether this could be consider as contract of
guarantee or not ?
Solution : no , this contract is not considered as contract of guarantee
because there no surety presence for A .
DEFINATION OF
BAILMENT
Bailment means transferring the
possession to another person to fulfill
some predetermined agreement that
might require the bailee (person to
whom possession is given) to do
something or vice versa in exchange
for some consideration that is not
mandatorily required to exist.
Generally, the bailor (owner of the
asset) does not enjoy the right to use
such bailed assets while they have
bailee.
Essential of contract of bailment
• There shall be a contract between the parties for the delivery of
goods.
• The goods should be delivered for a special purpose only.
• Bailment can be done for movable goods and not for immovable
goods or money.
• There shall be a transfer to bailee. Therefore bailor remains the
owner.
• Bailee is duty bound to deliver the goods same goods back to and
not any other goods.
DUTIES OF BAILOR and bailee
• 1.Care of goods It is the duty of the Bailee that he should take as much care
of the goods as a man of ordinary prudence takes care about his own goods.
• 2.Act according to bailment Any act of the Bailee should not be against the
condition of the contract. Otherwise contract will be voidable at the option of
the bailor.
• 3.mixing is not allowed It is the duty of the Bailee that he should keep the
bailor goods separate from his own goods. If he mixed without the consent of
the bailor then he himself will bear the expenses of separation and loss.
• 4.should not deny the title It is the duty of the Bailee that he should not
deny or change the title of the bailor about the ownership of the goods.
• 5.Default of responsibility It is the duty of the Bailee that
he should not deny or change the title of the bailor about
the ownership of goods.
• 6.Return of goods It is the duty of the Bailee to return or
deliver the goods bailed according to the bailors conditions.
• 7.Return at proper time It is the duty of the bailee that he
should return the goods bailed as the time or purpose of
bailment completes without the demand of the bailor.
• 8.Return of profit it is also the duty of Bailee that he should
deliver the profit or any increase occurred in the bailed
goods to the bailor.
• 9.Proper use of goods It is the duty of the bailee that he
should use the goods according the condition of the
RIGHTS OF BAILOR
• Right to have property protected
and used as agreed.
• Right to have property back at end
of bailment with service or repair
done properly.
• Right to have bailee not convert.
• Right to not be bound to limitation
of liability unless bailor knows.
• Duty to provide safe goods.
RIGHT TO BAILEE
• Right to posses: bailee may
acquire or use property
temporarily. Title does not pass.
• Right to use bailed property.
• Right to compensation: reimbursed
for costs or services as provided in
the agreement.
• Right to limit liability.
• Duty to return bailed property in
same condition to bailor. Bailee
may liable for conversion and
CASE STUDY
Aman owns a restaurant which needs renovation but he is incapable of renovating it ; so he made a
contract of bailment to Kisan . In this contract it was mentioned that until the full renovation of the
restaurant , Kisan have possession on restaurant and he is incharge to take a particular amount of daily
earning but not the profit earn in restaurant. This is done until and unless Kisan recover all the expense .
Question : What are the duties of Kisan related to the case ?
Solution:
1. Kisan cannot use restaurant under his name .
2. He is liable to maintain Aman’s restaurant .
3. Kisan cannot ask for profit after incurring the amount of expense done in renovation .
4. Kisan have to return daily profit to Aman .
.
2. Right to retention of subsequent debts [Section 174]: The Pawnee shall not, in the
absence of a contract to that effect, retain the goods pledged for any debt or promise other
than the debt or promise for which they are pledged .
Example:-X who owns a shop, appoints Y to manage his shop by executing a power of attorney in Y’s favour . Here, the relationship of principal and agent
has been created between X and Y by an express agreement .
Example:-A gives B’s property on rent basis to C . Afterwards B accepts monthly rent from C. B’s conduct implies a ratification of rented property.
Example:-
(a) when a partnership is formed, every partner automatically becomes agent of another partner.
(b) when a company is formed its promoters are treated as its agents by operation of law.
4 . Agency by implied agreement:[section 187]
An authority is said to be implied when it is to be inferred from the circumstances of the case.
(a) Agency by estoppels : When a person by his conduct or act allows a third person to believe that a certain person is his
authorized agent, the agency is said to be an agency by estoppels.
Example:-X tells Y in the presence and within the hearing of Z that he is Z’s agent. Z does not object to this statement. Later on Y
enters into a contract with X believing that X is Z’s agent. In such a case Z is bound by this contract and in a suit between Z and Y , Z
cannot be permitted to say that X was not his agent. Even though X was not actually his agent.
(b) Agency by necessity : In certain urgent circumstances, a person is required to act as an agent for another without his consent,
such an agency is called an agency of necessity.
Example:-X consigned some vegetables from delhi to Bombay by a truck. The truck met with an accident. The vegetables being
perishable were sold by the transporter. This sale is binding on X. in this case , the transporter became an agent by necessity.
(c) Agency by holding out : When a principal by his active conduct or act and without any objection permits another to act as his
agent, the agency is the result of principal’s conduct as to the agent.
Example:-X allows Y, his servant to purchase goods for him on credit from Z and later on pays for them. One day X pays cash to Y to
purchase goods. Y misappropriates the money and purchases goods on credit from Z. This is agency of holding out therefore X is
liable to pay amount to Z.
CASE STUDY
A man ask a child to pass a good to his neighbour as well to get a feedback for
the same . After this act was done the child was entitled with a chocolate .
QUESTION : Mention any characteristic of contract of agency if any ?
ANSWER: 1. the capacity of principal
[ man is 18+ and sound minded ] .
2. the capacity of agent [ though the child is minor ].
3. consideration is not required [as chocolate is given by the man with
free consent ].
Nature and extent of agent authority
The 'authority’ in the context of agency relationship
means capacity of an agent to bind the principle.
The authority of an agent to bind the principal by his act
may be of the following types:
1. actual or real authority
2. Agent’s authority in an emergency
3. Delegation of authority
4. Ostensible or apparent authority
1. Actual or real authority
(sec. 186)
According to section 186 an agent can bind the principal by all his acts performed within the
scope of his express or implied authority.
THE ACT LAYS DOWN :
An agent having an authority to do an act has authority to do every lawful thing, which is
necessary in order to do such act.
Agent having an authority to carry on business, has authority to do every lawful thing
necessary for the purpose, or usually done in the course, of conducting such business.
Example
1. A is employed by b, residing in London to recover at Bombay depth due to be. Any legal
process necessary for the purpose of recovering the depth and may give a valid discharge
for the same.
2. X appoints Y, his agent to carry on his business of a ship builder.Y may purchase Timber
and other materials, and hire workmen for the purpose of carry on the business.
2.Agent’s authority in an emergency
. (sec.189)
An agent has authority in an emergency to do all such at 4G purpose
of pro acting his principle from loss as wood be done by and man of
ordinary intelligence in his own case under similar circumstances.
Example :
1. A consigns provision to B at Calcutta, with directions to send them
immediately to C at Cuttack. B may sell the provision at Calcutta, if
they will not bear the journey to Cuttack without spoiling.
2. Where butter was In dangered of becoming useless owing to delay
in transit and it was impossible to obtain instructions of the
principal, the railway company sold the butter for the best
available price. It was held that the principle was bound by the
sale.
[Sim & Co. V. Midland rail Co.]
Express or Implied consent of principal. Where the principal has
expressly or impliedly permitted the delegation of such authority.
1. Nature of agency. Where the nature of business of agency is
such such that it requires or permits the appointment of such
agent.
2. Custom Of trade. Where the customer of trade permits The
appointment of sub-agent.
3. Ministerial act. Where the act to be done is purely ministerial
(eg.. Clerical or routine work) and involves no exercise of
discretion.
4. Unforeseen emergencies. Where delegation of authority has
become necessary due to some unforeseen emergencies
( eg.agent is too ill to act.)
3.Delegation of authority (sec. 190)
the general principle is “delegatus nonpotest
delegare”. Which means that ‘a delegate cannot
further delegate’.
Sec.190 Provides that an agent himself being a
delegate cannot lawfully employ another to
perform acts which he has expressly or Impliedly
undertaken to perform personally.