Chapter 7

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  1. Question 1 of 10

    1. Generally where a contract of employment contains a clause that restricts the activities of an employee on leaving a company's employment, the restraint on employees will be void unless the employer can show that it is necessary to protect a proprietary interest. In deciding what is reasonable in the interests of the employee and the public, which of the following factors will not be relevant?

    • Correct. Feedback: An employee restraint clause that prevents legitimate competition will not be upheld as this may prevent the ex-employee from engaging in employment. Clauses to protect areas such as trade secrets and client contracts may be protected Forster v Suggett (1918). The position of the employee may be relevant, as if t he employee occupied a senior position and was a key business asset; it is more likely that the restraint may be reasonable (Herbert Morris ltd v Saxelby [1916]).

    • Incorrect. Feedback: An employee restraint clause that prevents legitimate competition will not be upheld as this may prevent the ex-employee from engaging in employment. Clauses to protect areas such as trade secrets and client contracts may be protected Forster v Suggett (1918). The position of the employee may be relevant, as if t he employee occupied a senior position and was a key business asset; it is more likely that the restraint may be reasonable (Herbert Morris ltd v Saxelby [1916]).

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  2. Question 2 of 10

    2. Billy owns a shop in Tripmouth, a large town. His business mainly consists of selling and repairing Super spin washing machines. Billy's is the only shop in Tripmouth which deals in this type of washing machine. Billy is now considering opening another shop where he lives in a small town called Walkville, some five miles from Tripmouth. Billy plans to sell his shop in Tripmouth. The prospective purchaser is Whiteflakes plc, a national firm which owns a chain of electrical shops, and specialises in Super spin washing machines. This firm wants Billy to agree not to open another shop selling 'Super spin' washing machines, or any other make of washing machine, or any other laundry equipment, anywhere in the UK for the next 8 years. Which of the following statements is correct?

    • Correct. Feedback: The case of Nordenfelt v Maxim Nordenfelt (1894) is authority for the fact that all covenants in restraint of trade are prima facie contrary to public policy and void. However if it can be demonstrated that a company has a legitimate interest to protect and the scope of the restraint does not extend further than is reasonable to protect that interest, and there is no general public interest at stake in permitting the restriction, the courts will uphold the restriction.

    • Incorrect. Feedback: The case of Nordenfelt v Maxim Nordenfelt (1894) is authority for the fact that all covenants in restraint of trade are prima facie contrary to public policy and void. However if it can be demonstrated that a company has a legitimate interest to protect and the scope of the restraint does not extend further than is reasonable to protect that interest, and there is no general public interest at stake in permitting the restriction, the courts will uphold the restriction.

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  3. Question 3 of 10

    3. Certain contracts made with minors will be upheld as valid. These contracts are:

    • Correct. Feedback: Contracts for necessaries and beneficial contracts of service are the only contracts that can be enforced against minors. The law pursues two conflicting policies in the case of minors. On the one hand it tries to protect minors from their own inexperience; on the other, it tries to ensure that persons dealing with minors are not dealt with in a harsh manner. See Chaplin v Leslie Frewin (Publishers) Ltd (1966).

    • Incorrect. Feedback: Contracts for necessaries and beneficial contracts of service are the only contracts that can be enforced against minors. The law pursues two conflicting policies in the case of minors. On the one hand it tries to protect minors from their own inexperience; on the other, it tries to ensure that persons dealing with minors are not dealt with in a harsh manner. See Chaplin v Leslie Frewin (Publishers) Ltd (1966).

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  4. Question 4 of 10

    4. Ted is aged 17. He has recently entered into various contracts which he now wishes to avoid. Which of the following contracts will be enforceable?

    • Correct. Feedback: Contracts that are enforceable against a minor include those for necessaries, contracts of employment, training and apprenticeship, if they are substantially for the minor's benefit. It is likely that a plumbing course will fulfil the criteria of being a contract of training, which is substantially for Ted's benefit. The other contracts are neither for necessaries, nor for education, training or apprenticeship. See Nash v Inman.

    • Incorrect. Feedback: Contracts that are enforceable against a minor include those for necessaries, contracts of employment, training and apprenticeship, if they are substantially for the minor's benefit. It is likely that a plumbing course will fulfil the criteria of being a contract of training, which is substantially for Ted's benefit. The other contracts are neither for necessaries, nor for education, training or apprenticeship. See Nash v Inman.

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  5. Question 5 of 10

    5. Desmond recently entered into a contract to hire Neon Spirit, a local band to play at his 21st birthday party. He booked the band after one of their gigs at a local pub when he was in a rather drunken state, having consumed the equivalent of 10 units of alcohol. He no longer wants the band to play at his party and wishes to avoid the contract on the grounds that he was drunk when he entered the agreement. Which of the following is correct? Desmond will be bound by the contract unless:

    • Correct. Feedback: The contract will be void where the drunken person was in such a state as to not understand the nature of what he/she was doing. The other party must however be aware of their state of mind. Such contracts may be affirmed during a sober period.

    • Incorrect. Feedback: The contract will be void where the drunken person was in such a state as to not understand the nature of what he/she was doing. The other party must however be aware of their state of mind. Such contracts may be affirmed during a sober period.

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  6. Question 6 of 10

    6. The modern doctrine of restraint of trade is found in which of the following cases?

    • Correct. Feedback: Nordenfelt v Maxim Nordenfelt Guns and Ammunition Co [1894] is the case where the modern doctrine of restraint of trade can be found. In essence, the rule is that all contracts in restraint of trade are prima facie void, unless there are any special factors that exist which justify the restraint. The restraint must also be reasonable between the parties and in the interests of the public.

    • Incorrect. Feedback: Nordenfelt v Maxim Nordenfelt Guns and Ammunition Co [1894] is the case where the modern doctrine of restraint of trade can be found. In essence, the rule is that all contracts in restraint of trade are prima facie void, unless there are any special factors that exist which justify the restraint. The restraint must also be reasonable between the parties and in the interests of the public.

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  7. Question 7 of 10

    7. The case of J A Mont (UK) Ltd v Mills [1993] involved a restraint of trade clause preventing which of the following activities?

    • Correct. Feedback: The case of J A Mont (UK) Ltd v Mills [1993] involved a restraint of trade clause preventing the defendant from working in another company in the paper tissue industry for a period of one year of leaving the plaintiff's company. The clause was found not reasonable and could not be enforced.

    • Incorrect. Feedback: The case of J A Mont (UK) Ltd v Mills [1993] involved a restraint of trade clause preventing the defendant from working in another company in the paper tissue industry for a period of one year of leaving the plaintiff's company. The clause was found not reasonable and could not be enforced.

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  8. Question 8 of 10

    8. Which of the following cases concerned the operation of the "blue pencil" test?

    • Correct. Feedback: Under the blue pencil rule, the objectionable part of the contract can be severed, provided that it leaves the remainder of the contract capable of standing alone. An example of the use of the rule can be seen in Goldsoll v Goldman [1915] which concerned a restriction on the sale of real and imitation jewellery.

    • Incorrect. Feedback: Under the blue pencil rule, the objectionable part of the contract can be severed, provided that it leaves the remainder of the contract capable of standing alone. An example of the use of the rule can be seen in Goldsoll v Goldman [1915] which concerned a restriction on the sale of real and imitation jewellery.

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  9. Question 9 of 10

    9. Which of the following type of contract is NOT illegal at common law?

    • Correct. Feedback: A collateral contract is not illegal at common law. A collateral contract can sometimes be used to avoid illegality.

    • Incorrect. Feedback: A collateral contract is not illegal at common law. A collateral contract can sometimes be used to avoid illegality.

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  10. Question 10 of 10

    10. Which of the following statements in relation to capacity in contract law is accurate?

    • Correct. Feedback: Drunks are liable to pay a reasonable price for items considered necessaries and can also be liable on a contract if they ratify it when sober.

    • Incorrect. Feedback: Drunks are liable to pay a reasonable price for items considered necessaries and can also be liable on a contract if they ratify it when sober.

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