高顿网校ACCA小编为各位ACCA学员整理了一些科目的精选练习题,希望大家查漏补缺,对考试有所帮助。
        Question:
  Apt Ltd is a small independent book company, which specialises in publishing modern poetry. In January 2013 itsigned a contract with a new poet, called Bel, to publish her second book of poems in August 2014. In March 2013, Bel won a prestigious award for her first book of poems, which had been published privately.
  In the light of the fame which now attached to Bel, Apt Ltd launched an extensive advertising campaign publicising the forthcoming book. The campaign was expensive, costing £50,000, but it was successful in generating great interest. As a result, Apt Ltd won a contract to supply a large book club with 100,000 copies of the book, which would make them a profit of £250,000.
  Unfortunately in May 2014, Bel informed Apt Ltd that she would not be able to supply the manuscript to it as she had signed a more rewarding contract with Cax plc, a very large publishing company.
  Required:
  In the context of Bel’s anticipatory breach of contract, explain any possible remedies open to Apt Ltd.
  Answer:
  The essential issues to be disentangled from the problem scenario relate to breach of contract and the remedies available for such breach.
  There is clearly a binding contractual agreement between Art Ltd and Bel, which Bel has stated she intends to break. Normally breach of a contract occurs where one of the parties to the agreement fails to comply, either completely or satisfactorily, with their obligations under it. However, such a definition does not appear to apply in this case as the time has not yet come when Bel has to produce the manuscript. She has merely indicated that she has no intention of doing so. This is an example of the operation of the doctrine of anticipatory breach. This arises precisely where one party, prior to the actual due date of performance, demonstrates an intention not to perform their contractual obligations. The intention not to fulfil the contract can be either express or implied.
  Express anticipatory breach occurs where a party actually states that they will not perform their contractual obligations (Hochster v De La Tour (1853)). Implied anticipatory breach occurs where a party carries out some act which makes performance impossible (Omnium Enterprises v Sutherland (1919)).
  When anticipatory breach takes place, the innocent party can sue for damages immediately on receipt of the notification of the other party’s intention to repudiate the contract, without waiting for the actual contractual date of performance as in Hochster v De La Tour. Alternatively, they can wait until the actual time for performance before taking action. In the latter instance, they are entitled to make preparations for performance, and claim the agreed contract price (White and Carter (Councils) v McGregor (1961)).
  It would appear that Bel’s action is clearly an instance of express anticipatory breach and that Art Ltd has the right either to accept the repudiation immediately, or affirm the contract and take action against Bel at the time for performance (Vitol SA v Norelf Ltd (1996)). In any event, Bel is bound to complete her contractual promise or suffer the consequences of her breach of contract.
  Remedies for breach of contract
  (i) Specific performance
  It will sometimes suit a party to break their contractual obligations, even if they have to pay damages. In such circumstances, the court can make an order for specific performance to require the party in breach to complete their part of the contract. However, as specific performance is not available in respect of contracts of employment or personal service, Bel cannot be legally required to provide the manuscript to Apt Ltd (Ryan v Mutual Tontine Westminster Chambers Association (1893)). This means that the only remedy against Bel lies in the award of damages.
  (ii) Damages
  A breach of contract will result in the innocent party being able to sue for damages. Apt Ltd, therefore, can sue Bel for damages, but the important issue relates to the extent of such damages.
  高顿网校温馨提醒
  各位考生,2015年ACCA备考已经开始,为了方便各位学员能更加系统地掌握考试大纲的重点知识,帮助大家充分备考,体验实战,高顿网校开通了全免费的ACCA题库(包括精题真题和全真模考系统),题库里附有详细的答案解析,学员可以通过多种题型加强练习。戳这里进入ACCA免费题库>>>
 
ACCA网络课程课程专业名称讲师试听
85%的人正在学习该课程ACCA 全维度网课体验课程
实景课堂与独立录制
覆盖所有知识点,根据学习计划推进学习进度
高顿名师
70%的人正在学习该课程ACCA网课全科卡(8.2折)
为零基础刚开始学习ACCA的学员特别定制
高顿名师

展开全文