Main menu For students For teachers Explore our subjects Student events & courses

Explore

More for students
Sign in

Free Law resources

Study Notes

Key Case | Taylor v Laird (1856) | Formation of Contract - Communication of Offer

Level:
A-Level, BTEC National, IB Diploma
Board:
AQA, Edexcel, IB, OCR

Last updated 26 May 2021

Share this content:

For a valid offer to be proven, the offeror must communicate the offer to the offeree, an offeree cannot accept an offer they are not aware of. In this case, there was no contract as the claimant had not communicated the offer to the offeree.

CASE SUMMARY

Claimant: Taylor (employee)

Defendant: Laird (employer)

Facts: Laird owned a ship, for which he employed Taylor as the captain. During a voyage he began undertaking the role of crew member rather than captain. Upon return from the voyage the claimant sought to enforce payment for his alternate role.

Outcome: Not liable – no contract

Legal principle: There was no contract as the claimant had not communicated the offer to the offeree, an offeree cannot accept an offer they are not aware of.

Share this content:

You might also like

Formation of Contract

Study Notes

Introduction to Contract Law

Study Notes

Key Case | Yates v Pulleyn (1975) | Formation of Contract - Method of Acceptance

Study Notes

Key Case | Northern Foods v Focal Foods (2001) | Formation of Contract - Acceptance of Conduct

Study Notes

Key Case | Harris v Nickerson (1873) | Formation of Contract - Offers at Auctions

Study Notes

Key Case | Fisher v Bell (1961) | Formation of Contract - Invitation to Treat

Study Notes

Key Case | Carlill v Carbollic Smoke Ball Co (1893) | Formation of Contract - Unilateral Offer

Study Notes