Contract Law



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What is a Contract? Contract Law deals with obligations established by express or implied agreements between private parties. Contracts involving the sale of goods are generally standardized throughout the nation by the adoption of the Uniform Commercial Code.

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Contract Law - US

  • ABA - Section of Public Contract Law

    The mission of the Section of Public Contract Law is to improve public procurement and grant law at the federal, state and local levels and promote the professional development of attorney and associate members in public procurement law. The Section pursues this mission through a structured committee system and educational and training programs that welcome and encourage member involvement, foster opportunities for all members of the Section, and that recognize and respond flexibly to the diverse needs, talents and interests of Section members.

  • Contract Disputes Act of 1978

    The Contract Disputes Act of 1978 ("CDA", P.L. 95-563, 92 Stat. 2383) governs legal claims brought by parties engaged to do business with the government of the United States. It came into force on 1 March 1979, superseding the provisions of the Tucker Act. Among other things, it establishes procedures by which said parties may seek to press a monetary claim against the government, and it establishes the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals for review of certain, but not all, of these claims. More recent amendments have clarified the ability of contractors to bring non-monetary claims, and have endorsed the use of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms for resolving disputes.[

  • Contract Law - Definition

    United States contract law covers obligations established by agreement (express or implied) between private parties. Generally, contract law in transactions involving the sale of goods has become highly standardized nationwide as a result of the widespread adoption of the Uniform Commercial Code. However, there is still significant diversity in the interpretation of other kinds of contracts, depending upon the extent to which a given state has codified its common law of contracts or adopted portions of the Restatement (Second) of Contracts.

  • Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)

    The Federal Acquisition Regulations System is established for the codification and publication of uniform policies and procedures for acquisition by all executive agencies. The Federal Acquisition Regulations System consists of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), which is the primary document, and agency acquisition regulations that implement or supplement the FAR. The FAR System does not include internal agency guidance of the type described in 1.301(a)(2).

  • Freedom of Contract - Definition

    Freedom of contract is the freedom of individuals and corporations to form contracts without government restrictions. This is opposed to government restrictions such as minimum wage, competition law, or price fixing. The freedom to contract is the underpinning of laissez-faire economics and is a cornerstone of free market libertarianism.

  • Government Bids, Government RFPs, and Government Contracts

    Government bids, also called RFPs and contracts, are opportunities to business with governments within the United States. Federal, state, and local governments post bids for business opportunities. We compile these government bids, RFPs, and contracts so you can easily search government bids. Our Free Government Bid Email service send you a custom report of government bids that match your criteria. Our team of researchers spend their days searching so you can concentrate on your business.

  • Law of Electronic Contracts in the United States

    The growth of electronic commerce has proportionally increased the use of electronic contracts as a faster and innovative way to carry out business. Between 1998 and 2002 most countries adapted their domestic commercial legislation to recognize electronic contracts and signatures as legally valid instruments.

  • Privity of Contract - Overview

    "The doctrine of privity means that a contract cannot, as a general rule, confer rights or impose obligations arising under it on any person except the parties to it." (GH Treitel, The Law of Contract)

  • Restatement of the Law Second, Contracts

    The Restatement (Second) of the Law of Contracts is one of the most well-recognized and frequently-cited legal treatises in all of American jurisprudence. Every first year law student in every ABA-accredited law school in the United States is exposed to it, and it is probably the most-cited non-binding authority in all of U.S. common law in the areas of contracts and commercial transactions. It is a work without peer in terms of overall influence and recognition among the bar and bench, with the possible exception of the Restatement of Torts. The second edition was begun in 1962 and completed by the American Law Institute in 1979.

  • Uniform Commercial Code

    The Uniform Commercial Code (UCC or the Code), first published in 1952, is one of a number of uniform acts that have been promulgated in conjunction with efforts to harmonize the law of sales and other commercial transactions in all 50 states within the United States of America.

  • United States Code - Public Contracts

    In the codification of laws by this Act, the intent is to conform to the understood policy, intent, and purpose of Congress in the original enactments, with such amendments and corrections as will remove ambiguities, contradictions, and other imperfections, in accordance with section 205(c)(1) of House Resolution No. 988, 93d Congress, as enacted into law by Public Law 93-554 (2 U.S.C. 285b(1)).

  • Unites States Department of Commerce

    The U.S. Department of Commerce has a broad mandate to advance economic growth and jobs and opportunities for the American people. It has cross cutting responsibilities in the areas of trade, technology, entrepreneurship, economic development, environmental stewardship and statistical research and analysis.

  • USDOC - Contracts and Certifications

    The federal government bought goods and services totaling more than $350 billion during fiscal year 2009. Selling to the Federal Government can increase your business opportunities and revenues. You can drastically benefit from these "set aside" contracts. There are several government agencies at the local, state or federal level which offer certification. This section provides information on the principles of contracting including federal procurement, new opportunities and applying for the proper certifications

Contract Law - International

  • International Association for Contract and Commercial Management (IACCM)

    The International Association for Contract & Commercial Management is a non-profit membership organization that provides a global forum for innovation and collaboration in trading relationships and practices. It offers unique insights to the purpose and contribution of the contracting and relationship management process in both public and private sector.

  • United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG)

    Adopted by a diplomatic conference on 11 April 1980, the Convention establishes a comprehensive code of legal rules governing the formation of contracts for the international sale of goods, the obligations of the buyer and seller, remedies for breach of contract and other aspects of the contract. The Convention entered into force on 1 January 1988.

Oraganizations Related to Contract Law

  • Civilian Board of Contract Appeals

    The Civilian Board of Contract Appeals was established by section 847 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006 to hear and decide contract disputes between government contractors and executive agencies under the provisions of the Contract Disputes Act of 1978, 41 U.S.C. §§ 601-613, and regulations and rules issued under that statute.

  • US General Services Administration

    GSA’s mission is to use expertise to provide innovative solutions for our customers in support of their missions and by so doing foster an effective, sustainable, and transparent government for the American people.

Publications Related to Contract Law

  • Contract Prof Blog

    Provides articles, news and information on Contract Laws.

  • Federal Contracting Basic

    The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) is the primary regulation for use by all Federal Executive agencies in their acquisition of supplies and services with appropriated funds. It became effective on April 1, 1984, and is issued within applicable laws under the joint authorities of the Administrator of General Services, the Secretary of Defense, and the Administrator for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, under the broad policy guidelines of the Administrator, Office of Federal Procurement Policy, Office of Management and Budget.

Articles on HG.org Related to Contract Law

  • Social Review Sites Fight Back Against Law Firms Posting Fake Reviews
    Attorney advertising is a fairly new phenomenon in many jurisdictions. Rules of various state bar associations have eased over the last two decades to allow more and more freedom for attorneys wishing to advertise their services just like any other profession. However, the rise of new technology has presented a new twist and new source of liability for attorneys wishing to advertise online.
  • The Basics of American Franchising
    Perhaps you have seen an advertisement at a restaurant suggesting that you can open your own franchise and make a lot of money. Or, have you seen an advertisement on TV or the Internet talking about franchising opportunities? Or has someone approached you about buying into a multilevel marketing franchise? Whatever the situation, an understanding of what franchising is and its legal ramifications can be important for a successful business.
  • What Do Lawyers Look For When Evaluating Contracts?
    Corporate attorneys are frequently asked to assess various contracts that their clients bring to them. Generally, clients only want to know whether it is a “good” contract, or if it “covers everything.” But, this is only a small fraction of what an attorney should analyze. So, what do lawyers look for when evaluating contracts?
  • Shake App Puts Legally Binding Document Creation in the Palm of Your Hand
    Have you ever been out of the office or away from home, meet someone, strike up a conversation, and realize you want to do business with that person? Maybe you even had the feeling after leaving that if you could have given them a contract right then and there you would have closed the deal. Well now you can, with a new smartphone and tablet application called Shake.
  • Protecting Your Intellectual Property
    There are four main areas of intellectual property that any company or individual must protect because it is so easy to do so and can save you a great deal of money and time on litigation.
  • Professional Service Agreements for Hospital-Based Physicians
    In this article, I outline Professional Service Agreements for hospital-based physicians. I cover the fundamental terms of the contract, namely, (1) defining the medical services to be provided as against the payment of compensation, (2) exclusivity, and (3) term & termination.
  • Leaving an Accounting Practice/Closing an Accounting Practice
    This article gives a very brief overview of how an accountant leaves or closes an accounting practice. The accountant can’t just walk away – leaving or closing an accounting practice is more complex than you think.
  • Buying and Selling an Accounting Practice
    This article gives a quick overview of buying and selling an accounting practice. The author discusses the deal from due diligence, through deal terms, to the definitive deal documents.
  • Oral Promises as Contracts
    The former CFO of Sterne Agee Group, Inc is suing the Alabama based investment bank for breach of contract, among other allegations. According to court documents, former CFO Brian Barze worked as the CFO of another company which was grooming him for a CEO position when Sterne Agee approached him about the CFO position at its own company.
  • Shareholder Buy-Sell Agreements for Accountancy Corporations
    In this article, the author explains shareholder buy-sell agreements for accountants and accountancy corporations. A buy-sell agreement (also called a shareholders agreement) protects the corporation from the accountant/shareholders, specifically their death, loss of license, disability and dispute.
  • All Business and Industry Law Articles

    Articles written by attorneys and experts worldwide discussing legal aspects related to Business and Industry including: agency and distributorship, agency law, business and industry, business formation, business law, commercial law, contracts, corporate governance, corporate law, e-commerce, food and beverages law, franchising, industrial and manufacturing, joint ventures, legal economics, marketing law, mergers and acquisitions, offshore services, privatization law, retail, shareholders rights and utilities.