Mr. S promises Mr. M to paint a family picture for 20,000 and assures to complete his assignment by 15th March, 2023. Unfortunately, Mr. S died in a…

CA Foundation · Business Laws · MTP · June 2024
Mr. S promises Mr. M to paint a family picture for 20,000 and assures to complete his assignment by 15th March, 2023. Unfortunately, Mr. S died in a road accident on 1st March, 2023 and his assignment remains undone. Can Mr. M bind the legal representative of Mr. S for the promise made by Mr. S? Suppose Mr. S had promised to deliver some photographs to Mr. M on 15th March, 2023 against a payment of 10,000 but he dies before that day. Will his representative be bound to deliver the photographs in this situation? Decide as per the provisions of the Indian Contract Act, 1872.

Suggested Answer and Working Notes:

(i) According to section 16 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872, a contract is said to be induced by ‘undue influence’ where the relations subsisting between the parties are such that one of the parties is in a position to dominate the will of the other and he uses that position to obtain an unfair advantage over the other. When consent to an agreement is caused by undue influence, the contract is voidable at the option of the party, whose consent was so caused. Hence, the contract between Mr. A and Mr. B is voidable at the option of Mr. B as it was induced by undue influence by Mr. A and therefore Mr. B can sue Mr. A. (ii) The parties to a contract must either perform, or offer to perform, their respective promises, unless such performance is dispensed with or excused under the provisions of this Act, or of any other law. Promises to bind the representatives of the promisors in case of the death of such promisors before performance, unless a contrary intention appears from the contract. (Section 37 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872). As per the provisions of Section 40 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872, if it appears from the nature of the case that it was the intention of the parties to any contract that any promise contained in it should be performed by the promisor himself, such promise must be performed by the promisor. In other cases, the promisor or his representative may employ a competent person to perform it. In terms of the provisions of Section 40 stated above, in case where Mr. S has to paint a family picture for Mr. M, Mr. M cannot ask the legal representative of Mr. S to complete the painting work on Mr. S’s death, since painting involves the use of personal skill. In terms of the provisions of Section 37 stated above, in case where Mr. S had promised to deliver some photographs to Mr. M, the legal representatives of Mr. S shall be bound to deliver the photographs in this situation.

Topics: The Indian Contract Act, 1872

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