Contract Law: From Trust to Promise to Contract

About this course:

This contract law course, with new materials and updated case examples, is designed to introduce the range of issues that arise when entering and enforcing contracts. It will provide an introduction to what a contract is and also analyze the purpose and significance of contracts.

Then, it will discuss the intent to create legal relations, legality and morality, and the distinction between gifts and bargains. The course also investigates common pitfalls: one-sided promises, mistake, fraud, and frustration.

With the knowledge of what makes contracts and how they can go wrong, Professor Fried will discuss remedies and specific performance. Finally, Professor Fried will introduce how contracts can create rights for third parties.

The course's instructor, Charles Fried, has been teaching at Harvard Law School for more than 50 years and has written extensively on contracts. Not only is Professor Fried a leading authority on contract law, but he also utilizes a story-telling approach to explaining the topic, which creates a unique and interesting class experience.

What you'll learn:

• A theoretical background of contracts, trust, and promise
• How to form contracts through valid offer and acceptance
• Limits to enforcing contracts
• Issues excusing contractual performance
• Available remedies for contractual breaches
• Third parties' ability to enforce contracts
• The limitations of contract law
• How courts interpret contracts
• Relationship of Contracts to Agency, Partnership, Corporations and Regulation
• How to read through contracts to apply these key concepts and understand potential issues and outcomes

Note:

• Add a Verified Certificate for $199 USD