1. Bilateral versus Unilateral Contracts: Nichols is the principal owner of Samuel Nichols, Inc., a real estate firm. Nichols signed an exclusive brokerage agreement with Molway to find a purchaser for Molway's property within 90 days. The agreement specified that Nichols was entitled to a commission if the property was sold to any purchaser to whom he had shown it within the 90-day period. Molway tried to cancel the agreement before the 90-day term had expired. Nichols had already advertised the property for sale, put up a "for sale" sign, post pictures of the property on the Internet, and shown it to several prospective buyers. Molway claims that the contract is unilateral and that she can cannel at any time before Nichols finds a buyer. Nichols claims the contract is bilateral and that Molway's cancellation is a breach. Who should prevail if this case goes to trial? Explain why.
2. Bilateral versus Unilateral Contracts William Green began working for the Grant Building, Inc, about 24 years ago. Green claims that he agreed to work at a pay rate below union scale in exchange for a promise that the corporation would employ him "for life." Eight years ago, Oliver Realty, Inc. Took over the management of the Grant Building. Oliver Realty's president assured former Grant employees existing employment contracts would be honored. During that same year, Greene explained the terms of his agreement to his new supervisor from Oliver Realty. The supervisor said he would check into it, but never got back to Greene. After 24 years of service, Greene was fired by Oliver Realty. Green is suing Oliver Realty for breach of a unilateral contract - discuss fully whether Green and Oliver Realty had a unilateral contract.
3. Revocation: Dodds signed and delivered to Dickinson the following memorandum on Wednesday, June 10.
"I hereby agree to sell to Geo. Dickinson the whole of the dwelling-houses, garden ground, stabling and outbuildings thereto belonging, situated at Croft, belonging to me, for the sum of £800. As witness my hand this tenth day of June 1874. £800 [signed] John Dodds.
P.S. This offer to be left over until Friday, 9 o'clock a.m. 12th June, 1874. " [signed] John Dodds
The next afternoon (Thursday) Dickinson's agent told Dickinson that Dodds had decided to sell the property to a man named Allan was negotiating with Allan for that purpose. That evening, Dickinson went to the house of Dodds' mother-in-law and left her a written acceptance. This document never reached Dodds. The next morning, at 7 a.m., Dickinson's agent gave Dodds a copy of the acceptance. Dodds replied it was too late because he had already sold the property.
Did Dickinson's knowledge that Dodds was negotiating to sell the property to Allan revoke Dodds' offer to Dickinson. Explain in detail.
4. Offers versus Nonoffers: The Olivers were planning to sell some of their ranch and mentioned this fact to Southworth, a neighbor. Southworth expressed interest in purchasing the property and later notified the Olivers that he had the money available to buy it. The Olivers told Southworth that they would let him know shortly about the details concerning the sale. The Olivers then sent a letter to Southworth - and, unknown to Southworth, to several other neighbors - giving information about the sale, including the price, the location of the property and the amount of acreage involved. When Southworth received the letter, he sent a letter of his own to the Olivers "accepting" their offer. The Olivers stated that the information in their letter had not been intended as an "offer," but merely as a starting point for negotiations. Southworth is bringing suit against the Olivers to enforce the "contract." Did a contract between Southworth and the Olivers actual exist. Please explain why or why not.
5. Public Offers of Reward: John H. Surratt was one of John Wilkes Booth's accomplices in the murder of President Lincoln. On April 20, 1865, the Secretary of War published the following proclamation in newspapers: "$25,000 reward for the apprehension of John H. Surratt and liberal rewards for any information that leads to the arrest of John H. Surratt." Seven months later, President Johnson revoked the reward and published the revocation in the newspapers. Henry B. St. Marie learned of the reward, but left the United States to go to Rome prior to the revocation by President Johnson. In April 1866, unaware that the reward had been revoked, he reported information to U.S. Officials which led to Surratt's arrest. Should St. Marie have received the reward., or any portion of it Explain.
Assignments must be typed.