The Law of Sales of Goods - Presentation
The Law of Sales of Goods
Overview
Governs the sale of goods, previously included in the Contract Act of 1872.
Now under the Sale of Goods Act, 1930, adopted by Pakistan in 1947.
Key Terms in Foreign Trade
Loco Price: Price of goods in the seller's warehouse.
Free Alongside Ship (FAS) Price: Price including costs to transport goods alongside ship.
Free on Board (FOB) Price: Price including all costs up to loading on the ship.
Cost and Freight (C&F): Price including costs up to freight payment.
Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF) Price: Includes all costs plus insurance premiums.
Franco Price: All expenses until delivery at the buyer's warehouse.
Ex-Ship Contract: All costs until arrival at destination port.
Formation of the Contract
Types of Sale Contracts
Sale: Immediate transfer of property in goods from seller to buyer.
Seller can sue for price if buyer fails to pay.
Loss from destruction falls on buyer.
Agreement to Sell: Transfer of property at a future date or conditional.
Seller can only sue for damages if buyer fails to accept.
Loss from destruction falls on seller unless otherwise agreed.
Formalities of the Contract
Must involve a seller (who sells) and a buyer (who buys).
Contracts can be written, oral, or implied from conduct.
Goods refer to movable property, excluding money and actionable claims.
Types of goods: specific (identified at contract) and future (to be produced).
Price Determination
Price = Money consideration for sale of goods.
Usually fixed by contract; if not, a reasonable price must be paid.
Agreement void if a third party fails to determine the price.
Conditions and Warranties
Conditions
Essential stipulations; breach allows aggrieved party to terminate contract or claim damages.
Example: Incorrect product delivery allows rejection and damages.
Warranties
Minor stipulations; breach allows only claim for damages, not contract termination.
Example: Late product delivery allows for damages but not contract cancellation.
Differences Between Condition and Warranty
Value: Condition is essential; Warranty is not.
Basis: Condition forms the contract's basis; Warranty does not.
Breach Consequences: Breach of condition allows rejection; Warranty does not.
Sale by Auction
Separate contracts for lots.
Sale completes upon auctioneer's hammer announcement.
Seller may reserve bidding rights; any fraudulent bidding makes sale voidable.
Sales can have a reserved or upset price.
Law Governing Partnership
Definition
Act of a Firm: Actions by partners that create enforceable rights.
Business: Includes trade, occupation, and profession.
Third Party: Non-partner individuals.
Partnership Types
Partnership at Will: Duration unspecified; can be terminated anytime.
Particular Partnership: Formed for a specific undertaking.
Essential Elements of a Partnership
Must have a business and more than one person (max 20 for ordinary).
Must be a contract with profit as the objective, acting on behalf of all.
Registration of Partnership Firms
Mandatory registration established by the Partnership Act of 1932.
Non-registered firms cannot file suits against or by third parties.
Method of Registration
Submit a form with details about the firm, partners, and business duration.
Must comply with naming regulations and sign by all partners.
Changes Notification
Inform Registrar of any structural changes (partner entry/exit, name changes).
Illegal Partnerships
Circumstances that render partnership illegal include insolvency of partners or legality of business.
Invalid if it exceeds partner limits or continues post-dissolution.