Contract Act_Practical Problems_48

A, B and C borrow Rs. 10,000 from X. All of them have executed a promissory note in favour of X. A dies. X sues B alone for Rs. 10,000. Is X entitled to do so? If so, what is the remedy, if any, to B ?

Section 43 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872 provides that when two or more persons make a joint promise, the promisee may, in the absence of express agreement to the contrary, compel any one or more of such joint promisors to perform the whole of the promise. Thus, in the given case, X is entitled to claim performance from B alone.

B, of course, in turn, shall be allowed to claim contribution in excess of his share {i.e., 1/3] from C aswell as legal representative of A. In this regard. Section 43 again provides that each of two or more joint promisors may compel every other joint promisor to contribute equally with himself to the performance of the promise, unless a contrary intention appears from the contract. Thus, B shall be entitled to claim Rs. 3,333.33 each from C and A's legal representative.

Contract Act_Practical Problems_47

A proposes by a letter sent by post to sell his house to B. B accepts the proposal by letter sent by post. State the legal position regarding revocation of offer and acceptance by A and B respectively.

The problem in question is based on the provisions of Section 5 of the Indian Contract Act. According to Section 5, a proposal may be revoked at any time before the communication of acceptance is complete as against the proposer as per Section 4. Communication of acceptance against the proposer is complete when the letter of acceptance is posted. Thus, B may revoke his proposal at any time before or at the moment when B posts his letter of acceptance but not afterwards.

Revocation of acceptance, as per Section 5, may be made at any time before the communication of the acceptance is complete as against the acceptor, but not after- wards. As per Section 4, communication of acceptance is complete as against the acceptor when it comes to the knowledge of the proposer. Thus, B may revoke his acceptance at any time before or at the moment when the letter communicating it reaches A, but not afterwards.