Contractual Dispute Resolution

Summary

In this scenario, Amal offered to sell a bicycle for Rs. 50,000, which Bimal countered with Rs. 40,000, nullifying the original offer. Amal rejected the counteroffer and reinstated the original offer, which Bimal accepted before Amal sold the bicycle to Nimal. Under Sri Lankan law, Bimal could argue a contract was formed upon his acceptance. However, since Amal sold the bicycle before seeing the acceptance, the contracts enforceability may depend on legal interpretation and jurisdictional laws.

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Amal sends an email to Bimal offering to sell his bicycle for Rs. *,*. Bimal replies to Amal's email, expressing his interest in purchasing the bike for Rs. *,* instead. Amal replies, rejecting Bimal's offer of Rs. *,* and insisting on the original price of Rs. *,*. Bimal then sends another email agreeing to purchase the bicycle for Rs. *,*. However, before Amal sees Bimal's acceptance email, he changes his mind and sells the bicycle to Nimal. Can Bimal enforce a contract against Amal?
To determine if Bimal can enforce a contract against Amal, consider the following points:
- Offer and Counteroffer: Amal's initial offer was Rs. *,*, which Bimal countered with Rs. *,*. This counteroffer nullified the original offer.
- Rejection and Renewal of Offer: Amal rejected the Rs. *,* and reinstated the original offer of Rs. *,*.
- Acceptance: Bimal accepted the Rs. *,* offer in his subsequent email.
For a binding contract, there must be an offer, acceptance, and consideration. Since Bimal accepted the original offer before Amal saw it and sold the bicycle to Nimal, Bimal could argue that a contract was formed. However, the enforceability may depend on specific legal interpretations and jurisdictional laws.
Would you like to connect with a local lawyer for more detailed assistance?
i have to make a presentaiton on identifying the issues we learned from this case
Sure, here are the key issues you can highlight in your presentation:
- Offer and Counteroffer:
- Initial Offer: Amal offers to sell the bicycle for Rs. *,*.
- Counteroffer: Bimal counters with Rs. *,*, which nullifies the original offer.
- Rejection and Renewal of Offer:
- Rejection: Amal rejects Bimal's Rs. *,* offer.
- Renewal: Amal reinstates the original Rs. *,* offer.
- Acceptance:
- Bimal's Acceptance: Bimal accepts the Rs. *,* offer in his subsequent email.
- Timing: Bimal's acceptance occurs before Amal sees it and sells the bicycle to Nimal.
- Legal Principles:
- Contract Formation: For a binding contract, there must be an offer, acceptance, and consideration.
- Enforceability: The enforceability of the contract may depend on specific legal interpretations and jurisdictional laws.
Would you like more details on any of these points?
yes, what would happen here according to Sri lankan law?
Under Sri Lankan law, the key points to consider in this scenario are:
- Offer and Counteroffer:
- Initial Offer: Amal's offer to sell the bicycle for Rs. *,*.
- Counteroffer: Bimal's counteroffer of Rs. *,* nullifies the original offer.
- Rejection and Renewal of Offer:
- Rejection: Amal rejects Bimal's counteroffer of Rs. *,*.
- Renewal: Amal reinstates his original offer of Rs. *,*.
- Acceptance:
- Bimal's Acceptance: Bimal accepts the Rs. *,* offer in his subsequent email.
- Timing: Bimal's acceptance occurs before Amal sees it and sells the bicycle to Nimal.
- Legal Principles:
- Contract Formation: For a binding contract, there must be an offer, acceptance, and consideration.
- Enforceability: The enforceability of the contract may depend on specific legal interpretations.
Under Sri Lankan law, Bimal could argue that a contract was formed when he accepted the offer. However, since Amal changed his mind and sold the bicycle to Nimal before seeing Bimal's acceptance, the enforceability of the contract may be questionable and could require legal interpretation.
Would you like to connect with a local lawyer for detailed assistance on this matter?