All Materials

Explore English contract law with this comprehensive revision hub. Find case summaries, legal principles, exam guides, SQE resources and explanations of key contract law topics.

Parker v South Eastern Railway Co [1877] 2 CPD 416 is a leading contract law case on the incorporation of terms by notice. The Court held that an exclusion clause printed on a railway cloakroom ticket may become part of the contract if the company took reasonable steps to bring the term to the customer's attention. Actual knowledge of the term is not required; reasonable notice is sufficient.

Routledge v McKay [1954] 1 WLR 615 is a leading contract law case on the distinction between terms and representations. The seller advertised a second-hand motorcycle as a 1942 model, relying on its registration document. A week later, the parties signed a written contract that did not mention the model year. The court held that the statement was a representation, not a contractual term, largely because of the time gap and its omission from the written agreement.

Bannerman v White [1861] 10 CB (NS) 844 is a leading contract law case on the distinction between a contractual term and a mere representation. The buyer asked whether hops had been treated with sulphur and stated that the purchase depended on the answer. The seller said they had not. As the statement was fundamental to the contract, it was held to be a contractual term. When the statement proved false, the buyer was entitled to reject the goods.

When is time of the essence in contract law? A missed deadline does not always give the innocent party the right to terminate a contract. This article explains what “time is of the essence” means, when deadlines become legally fundamental, and the remedies available when they are breached. Learn how courts distinguish between essential and non-essential time obligations, with practical examples and exam-focused guidance.

Manchester Diocesan Council for Education v Commercial and General Investments Ltd [1970] illustrates an important rule of contract law: where an offer suggests a method of acceptance but does not make it mandatory, acceptance by an equally effective method will still be valid. The case confirms that courts focus on substance over technicalities when determining whether a binding contract has been formed.

Adams v Lindsell (1818) 1 B & Ald 681 is a landmark contract law case that established the postal rule. The court held that acceptance is effective when a letter of acceptance is posted, not when it is received. This decision provides certainty in contracts formed by post and remains a foundational principle in English contract law on offer and acceptance

What is a counter-offer in contract law? A counter-offer occurs when an offeree responds to an offer by proposing different terms instead of accepting it outright. As established in Hyde v Wrench (1840), a counter-offer rejects and terminates the original offer, meaning it can no longer be accepted. This article explains the rules governing counter-offers, distinguishes them from requests for information, and provides practical exam tips for law students and SQE candidates.

What is an offer in contract law? This guide explains one of the fundamental concepts of contract formation. Learn how to identify a valid offer, distinguish it from an invitation to treat, and understand key cases including Carlill v Carbolic Smoke Ball Co, Payne v Cave, and Felthouse v Bindley. Perfect for law students preparing for exams or revising offer and acceptance principles.

Felthouse v Bindley [1862] 11 CB 869 is a leading contract law case on acceptance. The court held that silence cannot amount to acceptance of an offer. A person cannot impose contractual obligations by stating that a failure to respond will be treated as consent. The case establishes that acceptance must be communicated through words or conduct, making it a key authority on offer and acceptance in English contract law.

Payne v Cave [1789] 3 TR 148 is a leading contract law case on auctions and offer and acceptance. The court held that a bid at an auction is merely an offer, which may be withdrawn at any time before the auctioneer accepts it by the fall of the hammer. The decision established the important principle that no binding contract is formed until acceptance occurs, making bids revocable prior to completion of the sale.

Can silence amount to acceptance in contract law? This article explains the general rule that silence does not usually amount to acceptance, examines the leading case of Felthouse v Bindley (1862), and explores when acceptance may instead be inferred from conduct. Ideal for law students and SQE candidates, it includes key principles, case law, exam tips and practical examples to help you tackle offer and acceptance questions with confidence.