Contract Law Study Guide: Duties of Seller & Buyer
Duties of the Seller
1. Duty to Protect the Item Sold
- Protect item from sale to delivery.
- Buyer can claim damages if: seller acts intentionally or is negligent.
- No liability for accidental damage without fault.
2. Duty of Safe-Keeping
- If buyer hasn't paid: Seller liable only for intentional/gross negligence.
- If seller delays delivery: Seller liable for any damage, even without fault.
- Mora debitoris (seller's delay): Full liability.
- Mora creditoris (buyer's delay): Seller liable only for intentional/gross negligence.
3. Passing of Risk
- Risk passes to buyer when contract is perfecta (completed).
- Perfecta requires: Agreement, identified item, determined price, no suspensive conditions.
4. Ownership Transfer
- Contract = personal right; not ownership.
- Ownership transfers when all legal requirements are met.
Immovable Property: Ownership via registration.
Movable Property: Ownership via delivery and payment.
5. Forms of Delivery
- Incorporeal: Movable -> Cession; Immovable -> Registration of rights.
- Corporeal: Movable -> Actual/symbolic/constructive delivery; Immovable -> Registration.
Warranties
1. Warranty Against Eviction
- Seller must guarantee lawful ownership.
- Buyer's remedies:
Duties of the Seller
1. Duty to Protect the Item Sold
- Protect item from sale to delivery.
- Buyer can claim damages if: seller acts intentionally or is negligent.
- No liability for accidental damage without fault.
2. Duty of Safe-Keeping
- If buyer hasn't paid: Seller liable only for intentional/gross negligence.
- If seller delays delivery: Seller liable for any damage, even without fault.
- Mora debitoris (seller's delay): Full liability.
- Mora creditoris (buyer's delay): Seller liable only for intentional/gross negligence.
3. Passing of Risk
- Risk passes to buyer when contract is perfecta (completed).
- Perfecta requires: Agreement, identified item, determined price, no suspensive conditions.
4. Ownership Transfer
- Contract = personal right; not ownership.
- Ownership transfers when all legal requirements are met.
Immovable Property: Ownership via registration.
Movable Property: Ownership via delivery and payment.
5. Forms of Delivery
- Incorporeal: Movable -> Cession; Immovable -> Registration of rights.
- Corporeal: Movable -> Actual/symbolic/constructive delivery; Immovable -> Registration.
Warranties
1. Warranty Against Eviction
- Seller must guarantee lawful ownership.
- Buyer's remedies: