Lecture Notes: Termination of Offers in Contract Law

Introduction

Discussion on termination of offers within the context of contract law.
Previous lectures covered the concept of what constitutes an offer and acceptance.
Focus on various modes of terminating an offer.

Revocation or Withdrawal of an Offer
- An offer can be revoked any time before acceptance.
- Revocation must be communicated to the offeree.
- Common Law Position: The promise to keep an offer open is not binding without consideration.
  - Case: Routledge v. Grant
- Ghanaian Law (Contracts Act of 1960, Section 81): A promise to keep an offer open is binding even without consideration.
  - Modification from common law.
- Case: Byrne & Co. v. Leon Van Tienhoven
  - Revocation is effective only when communicated to the offeree.
- Case: Dickinson v. Dodds
  - Revocation can be communicated by a reliable third party.
Unilateral Contracts
- Once performance begins, the offer cannot be revoked.
- Case: Errington v. Errington & Woods
  - Performance signifying acceptance cannot be revoked.
General Offers
- Revoked with the same prominence as offered.
- Case: Shuey v. United States
  - Revocation must be as public as the offer.
Rejection by the Offeree
- Once rejected, the offer cannot be later accepted.
- Example: Counter-offers can be considered rejections.
Lapse of Time
- An offer can terminate if not accepted within a reasonable time.
- Case: Ramsgate Victoria Hotel Co v. Montefiore
  - Offers will lapse if not accepted in a reasonable timeframe.
Occurrence of a Specified Event
- Offers may specify termination upon a specific event.
- Example: "Offer valid until the end of the ongoing war."
Death of the Offeror
- An offer terminates if the offeror dies before acceptance.

The lecture covered various modes of terminating offers in contract law.
Understanding these principles is essential for navigating offer and acceptance in legal contexts.