UNIVERSITY OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES,

ACCRA (UPSA)
FACULTY OF LAW
FIRST SEMESTER – 2022/2023 ACADEMIC YEAR

LAW OF CONTRACT I
COURSE STRUCTURE AND OUTLINE

A. COURSE DETAILS

COURSE CODE BLAW 107 CREDIT HOURS 3 LEVEL 100/

200

COURSE TITLE LAW OF CONTRACT I

ACADEMIC 2022/2023 SEMESTER FIRST

YEAR

PROGRAMME LLB

B. COURSE INSTRUCTOR DETAILS

LECTURERS 1. Kofi Adinkrah Jnr. (KAJ.)

Contact: adinkrah.kofi@upsamail.edu.gh
Office No.: 6 // Contact Hours: TBA

2. Edna Obiri (Mrs)

Contact: edna.obiri@upsamail.edu.gh

C. COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course starts with an introduction to the definition and theoretical underpinnings of
the law of contract. It, then, proceeds to examine the formation of a contract and the

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essential elements of a contract (offer, acceptance, consideration, capacity, intention of the
parties and enforcement of the contract by law). The course, also, studies relevant terms of
a contract as well as legal rules, which regulate obligations, imposed on parties to a
contract. References will be made to relevant statutes, case law and books.

D. COURSE OBJECTIVE

Contract is the bedrock of commercial activities and a large part of the daily activities of
persons, institutions and governments. The ultimate goal of the course is to equip students
with adequate knowledge to point out what constitutes a valid contract enforceable by law,
to explain the procedure for creating a valid contract and understand implied terms, which
govern a valid contract.

E. COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the course, students shall demonstrate their knowledge of, comprehension of,
and ability to apply; ability to analyse; ability to synthesize and evaluate concepts,
principles, processes and rules learned. Specifically, students shall:

Define terms and concepts of Contract Law

Identify sources of Contract Law

Explain the relationship among sources of Contract Law

Differentiate types of contracts

Evaluate legislation and cases relating to Contract Law

Apply concepts and principles of Contract Law

Analyse principles of Contract Law

F. COURSE CONTENT

WEEK LESSONS/ACTIVITIES
WEEK 1 The nature and essence of contract
Definition
Essential elements of a contract

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 Theoretical Foundation of the law of contract

WEEK 2 Offer
Definition
Offer distinguished from “invitation to treat”
Bilateral and unilateral contracts
General Offers
Termination of offers
WEEK 3 Acceptance
Definition of Acceptance
Counter-offers
Communication of acceptance

WEEK 4 Consideration
Definition
Types of consideration
Forbearance as consideration
Sufficiency of consideration
Adequacy of consideration
WEEK 5 Consideration
Pre-existing obligation
The doctrine of promissory estoppel
Scope of Doctrine of estoppel
WEEK 6 Intention to create legal relations
Establishment of an intention
Agreements entered into in a domestic or social setting
Agreements entered into in a business or commercial
setting
Role of Intention to Create Legal Relations in the
formation of contracts

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WEEK 7 INTERIM ASSESSMENT EXAMS
WEEK 8 Capacity
Contractual Capacity of Minors
Contractual Liability of mentally
Incompetent Persons
The contractual capacity of a company
The contractual capacity of partnerships
WEEK 9 Contractual Terms
Ascertainment of terms of a contract
Classification of the terms of a contract
WEEK Contractual Terms
10
Standard contracts and exemption clauses
The doctrine of Fundamental Breach of Contract
WEEK Privity of Contract
11 /
Rule on Privity of Contract
WEEK Legislative changes to the doctrine of Privity
12 Revision/Group Presentation
WEEK End of Semester Examinations
13
WEEK End of Semester Examinations
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G. COURSE ASSIGNMENTS INFORMATION

1. Class and/or tutorial attendance is compulsory. Absenteeism attracts sanctions in

the form of earned marks reduction of not less than one (1) mark for each act of
absenteeism
2. The Dress code for lectures should be adhered to. Students not properly attired may
not participate in the lectures and exams or other exercises to which the improper
dressing relates

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 3. There shall be:
a. individual reading assignments at the end of every class, and students shall
report on the reading assignment the following week at lectures
b. group presentations on selected questions on days and dates to be
announced in class
c. compulsory tutorial sessions
d. one sit-in Interim Exam in the semester not later than the 8th week

H. ASSESSMENT

1. Continuous Assessment: 40% comprising the following elements:

a. Class attendance/tutorial attendance 5 marks
b. Participation 5 marks
c. Sit-in Interim Exam 20 marks
d. Group Presentation 10 marks
2. End of Semester Examinations 60 marks

I. READING MATERIALS

LEGISLATION

1. Auctions Sale Law, 1989 (PNDCL 230)

2. Children’s Act 1998 (Act 560)
3. Contracts Act, 1960 (Act 25)
4. Conveyancing Decree, 1973 (NRCD 175)
5. Criminal Code, 1963 (Act 29)
6. Evidence Decree, 1975 (NRCD 323)
7. Hire Purchase Decree, 1974 (NRCD) 292)
8. Illiterates’ Protection Ordinance, 1951 (Cap 262)
9. Limitations Decree, 1975 (NRCD 54)
10. Mortgages Decree, 1972 (NRCD 96)
11. Sale of Goods Act, 1962 (Act 137)
12. Company Act, 2019 (Act 992)

CASES (non-exhaustive)

The nature and essence of contract

1. Kotaku Associates v Owusu (February 2006) MLR 228 CA
2. Magna Terris v Gadagudi (2017) 115 GMJ 267 CA
3. Benjamin Duffour v. Bank of Ghana [2019] DLCA 7708; Civil Appeal No:
H1/254/2018.

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Offer
1. NTHC Ltd v Antwi (2009) SCGLR 117
2. Domins Fisheries Ltd v Bremen-Vegesacker Fisherei (1973) 2 GLR 490
3. Kessie v Charmant & Another (1973) 2 GLR 201
4. Spencer v Harding (1870) L. R. 5CP 561
5. Great Northern Railway v Witham (1873) L. R. 9 CP 16
6. Perbi v Attorney General (1974) 2 GLR 167
7. Fisher v Bell (1961) 1 Q.B. 394
8. Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain v Boot Cash Chemists (Southern) Ltd
(1953) 1 All ER 482
9. Dormenyor v Johnson Motors Ltd (1989-90) GLR 175
10. Patridge v Crittendon (1968) 2 All ER 421
11. Harris v Nickerson (1893) L. R. 8 QB 286
12. Warlow v Harrison (1859) 120 ER 925
13. McManus v Fortescue (1907) 2 KB 1
14. Carlill v Carbolic Smoke Ball Co. (1893) 1 QB 256
15. Gibbons v Proctor (1891) 64 L.T. 594
16. Tinn v. Hoofman (1873) 29 L.T. 271
17. P S Investment Ltd v CEREDEC & Others (2010-2012) 2 GLR 685, SC
18. Atuguba & Associates v Scipion Capital (UK) Ltd and Anor (2019) 139 G.M.J 1
SC (Electronic offer and acceptance)

Acceptance

1. Addision v A/S Norway Cement Export Ltd (1973) 2 GLR 151

2. Carlill v Carbolic Smoke Ball Co. (1893) 1 QB 256
3. Deegbe v Nsiah & Another (1984086) 1 GLR
4. Denton v Great Northern Railway Co (1856) 5 E & B 860
5. Domins Fisheries Ltd v Bremen-Vegesacker Fisherei (1973) 2 GLR 490
6. Dormenyor v Johnson Motors Ltd (1989-90) GLR 175
7. Fisher v Bell (1961) 1 Q.B. 394
8. Fofie v Zanyo (1992) 2 GLR 475 SC
9. Gibbons v Proctor (1891) 64 L.T. 594
10. Great Northern Railway v Witham (1873) L. R. 9 CP 16
11. Harris v Nickerson (1893) L. R. 8 QB 286
12. Kessie v Charmant & Another (1973) 2 GLR 201
13. McManus v Fortescue (1907) 2 KB 1
14. NTHC Ltd v Antwi (2009) SCGLR 117
15. Patridge v Crittendon (1968) 2 All ER 421
16. Perbi v Attorney General (1974) 2 GLR 167
17. Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain v Boot Cash Chemists (Southern) Ltd
(1953) 1 All ER 482 (English CA)
18. Polimex (Polish Export and Import) Co Ltd v BBC Builders & Engineers Co. Ltd
(1968) GLR 168
19. SA Turqui & Bros v Lamptey (1961) 1 GLR 190 HC

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 20. Spencer v Harding (1870) L. R. 5CP 561
21. Tinn v. Hoofman (1873) 29 L.T. 271
19. Warlow v Harrison (1859) 120 ER 925
22. Enterprise Insurance Company Ltd. And Consortium House Ltd. v. Albert
Adomako Civil Appeal No. J4/4/2010 7 JUL 2010 Supreme Court

Consideration
1. Adams v Lindsell, 1 B & Ald 681
2. Afrifa v Class Peters (1975) 1 GLR 359
3. Atta & Another v Adu (1987-88) 1 GLR 233
4. Baidoo v Sam (1987-88) GLR 666
5. Bank of West Africa Ltd v Appenteng & Another (1953) 1 GLR 153, CA
6. Brogden v. Metropolitan Railway Co. (1877) 2 App. Cas 666
7. Carlill v Carbolic Smoke Ball Co. (1893) 1 QB 256
8. Currie v Misa (1875) LR 10 Ex
9. Deegbe v Nsiah & Another (1984-86) 1 GLR
10. Delle & Delle v Owusu-Afriyie (2005-2006) SCGLR 60
11. Domins Fisheries Ltd v Bremen-Vegesacker Fisherei (1973) 2 GLR 490
12. Dunlop Pneumatic Tyre Co Ltd v Selfridge & Co Ltd (1915) AC 847
13. Fofie v Zanyo (1992) 2 GLR 475 SC
14. Hyde v Wrench (1840) 3 Beav 334
15. Hughes v. Metropolitan Railway Company (1877) 2 App Cas 439
16. Japan Motors v Randolph Motors Co Ltd (1982-83) 2 GLR 536
17. Laythorp v Bryant 3 Scott 238
18. Kessie v Charmant & Another (1973) 2 GLR 201
19. Koah v Royal Exchange Assurance (1968) GLR 398
20. Marfo & others v Adusei (1964) GLR 365
21. Okantey v. Kwaddey [1975] 1 GLR 193.
22. Praah & Ors v. Anane [1964] GLR 458.
23. Powell v Lee (1908) 99 LT 284
24. Roscorla v Thomas (1842) 3 QB 234
25. SA Turqui & Bros v Lamptey (1961) 1 GLR 190 HC
26. Stevenson, Jacques & Co v McLean (1880) 5 Q.B.D.
27. Tagoe v. Nugent [1969] C.C. 148.
28. Thomas v Thomas (1842) 2 QB 851
29. Tinn v. Hoofman (1873) 29 L.T. 271
30. Tsede & Others v Nubuasa & Another (1962) 1 GLR 338
31. Ward v Byham (1956) 1WLR 496/ 2 ALL ER 318, CA

Intention to create legal relations

1. Acheampong v Acheampong (1967) GLR 34
2. Balfour v Balfour (1919) 2 KB 571
3. Buckpitt v Oates (1968) 1 WLR 975
4. Coward v Motor Insurance Bureau (1963) 1 QB 259

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 5. Edwards v Skyways Ltd (1964) 1 All ER 494; (1964) 1 WLR 349
6. Hamer v Sidway 27 NE 256; 124 NY 538, 1891
7. Hammond v Ainooson (1974) 1 GLR 17 HC
8. Jones v Padavatton (1969) 2 All ER 616; (1969) 1 WLR 328
9. Jones v Vernon’s Pools Ltd (2 ALL ER 626
10. Merritt v Merritt (1970) 1 WKL 1211; (1970) 2 All ER 760
11. Parker v Clark (1960) 1 All ER 93
12. Pettitt v Pettitt (1970) ac 777; (1969) 2 All ER 385
13. Rose and Frank Co. v J.R. Crompton and Bros. Ltd (1923) 2 KB 261
14. Simpkins v Pays (1955) 3 All ER 10; (1955) 1 WLR 975

Capacity
1. Ballet v Mingay (1943) KB 281
2. Chapple v Cooper (1844) 13 M & W 252
3. Nash v Inman (1908) 2 KB 1
4. Dadzie & Boateng v. Kokofu [1961] G.L.R 90.
5. Fawcett v Smethurst (1914) 84 LJ KB 473
6. Clements v London & Northwestern Railway (1894) 2 QB 482
7. De Francesco v Barnum (1890) 45 CH D 430
8. Lartey v Bannerman (1976) 2 GLR 461
9. Mathews v Baxter (1873) LR 8 Exch 132
10. Leslie Ltd v Sheill (1914) 3 KB 607
11. Doyle v White City Stadium Ltd (1935) 1 KB 110
12. Roberts v Gray (1913) 1 KB 520
13. Chaplin v Leslie Frewin (Publishers) Ltd (1966) Ch 71
14. Mercantile Union Guarantee Corp Ltd v Ball (1937) 2 KB; (1937) 3 ALL ER 1
15. Wiafe v. Kom [1973] 1 G.L.R. 240.

Terms
4. Adler v Dickson (1955) 1 QB 158
5. Alderslade v Hendon Laundary Ltd (1945) 1KB 189
6. Andrews Bros (Bournemouth) Ltd v Singer & Co Ltd (1933) All ER 479
7. Ashitey v GIHOC [1989-90] GLRD 52.
8. Atta Kwamin v Kufour (1914) 2 Renner’s Report 808 SC (Privy Council)
9. Bannerman v White (1861) 10 CBNS 844
10. Bettini v Gye 1876 QBD 183
11. Boakyem and Others v Ansah (1963) 2 GLR 223
12. Board of Directors Orthodoc Secondary School v Tawlma Abels (1974) 1 GLR
419
13. British Crane Hire Corporation v Ipswich Plant Hire Ltd (1975) QB 303
14. Bunge Corporation v Tradax [1981] 1 WLR 711
15. Canada Steamship Lines v the King (1952) AC 192
16. Chapelton v Barry UDC (1940) 1 KB 532
17. Collateral Contract

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18. De Lassalle v Guildford
19. Dick Bentley v Harold Smith Motors [1965] 1 WLR 623
20. Duodu-Sakyiama v TDC (2017) 104 GMJ 1 SC – Extrinsic evidence
21. Ecay v Godfrey (1947) 80 Lloyds L.R. 286
22. Esso petroleum v Mardon (1976) QB 801
23. Helibut, Symonds & Co v Buckleton (1913) AC 30
24. Hollier v Rambler Motors Ltd (1972) 2 QB 71
25. Hong Kong Fir Shipping v Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha [1962] 2 QB 26
26. In City and Westminster Properties Ltd v Mudd (1959) Ch 129
27. Interfoto Picture Library Ltd v Stiletto Visual Programme (1988)1 ALL ER 348
28. Inusah v DHL Worldwide Express (1992) 1 GLR 267
29. Kwaku Bamfi Adomako & anor. V. Opanyin Kofi Duodu & 5 ors, Civil Appeal
No. J4/29/2011
30. L’Estrange v F. Graucob (1934) 2 KB 394
31. Lombard North Central v Butterworth [1987] QB 527
32. Magna Terris v Gadagudi (2017) 115 GMJ 267 CA
33. Mccutcheon v David Macbrayne Ltd (1964) 1 WLR 125
34. Mireku v Tetteh (2008-2009) 2 GLR 268
35. Motor Parts Trading Co v Nunoo (1962) 2 GLR 195
36. Neoplan (Ghana) Ltd v Harmony Construction Co ltd (1995-96) 1 GLR 662 HC
37. Nkrumah v Serwah & Others (1984-86) 1 GLR 190
38. Olley v Marlborough Court Ltd (1949) 1 KB 532
39. Oppong Banahene v Shell Ghana (2017) 111 GMJ 1 SC
40. Oscar Chess v Williams [1957] 1 WLR 370
41. Parker v South Eastern Railway (1877) 2 CPD 416
42. Poussard v Spiers (1876) 1 QBD 410
43. Quao v Squire (1978) 1 GLR 270
44. Richardson, Spence & Co v Rowntree (1894) AC 217
45. Routledge v Mckay [1954] 1 WLR 615
46. Saunders v Anglia Building Society (Gallie v Lee) (1971) AC 1004
47. Schawel v Reade [1913] 2 IR 81
48. Schuler v Wickman Tools [1974] AC 235
49. Scruttons Ltd v Midland Silicones Ltd (1962) AC 446
50. Shanklin Pier v Detel Products [1951] 2 KB 854
51. Skanska Jensen International v Klimatechnik Engineering Ltd (2003-2005) 1 GLR
356 SC
52. Social Security Bank v CBAM Services (2007-08) SCGLR 894
53. The Mihalis Angelos [1970] 3 WLR 601
54. The Moorcock [1889] 60 LT 654; 37 WR 439.
55. Thompson v London, Midland and Scottish Railway (1930) 1 KB 41 CA
56. Thorton v Shoe Lane Parking Ltd (1971) 2 QB 163
57. UTC Ltd v Tetteh & 2 others (1965) CC 92
58. Wallis, Son and Wells v Pratt and Haynes (1910) 2 KB 1003
59. Waya v Byrouthy (1958) WALR 413 HC
60. White v John Warwick & Co (1953) 2 All ER 1021
61. Wilson v Brobbey (1974) 1 GLR 250

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 62. Zabrama v. Segbedzi [1991] 2 GLR 221

Privity of Contract
1. Beswick v Beswick (1966) Ch 538
2. Dunlop Pneumatic Tyre v Selfridge (1915) AC 847
3. Enimil VI v Ashanti (2011) 29 GMJ 139 CA
4. Ejura Farms (Ghana) Ltd v Harlley (1976) 1 GLR 158
5. Koah v Royal Exchange Assurance (1968) GLR 398
6. Magna Terris v Gadagudi (2017) 115 GMJ 267 CA
7. Oppong Banahene v Shell Ghana (2017) 111 GMJ 1 SC
8. Taddy v Sterious (1904) 1CH 354
9. Tweddle v Atkinson (1861) 4 LT 468/(1861-73) All ER 369
10. Yeboah v Krah (1969) CC 42

TEXT AND CASEBOOKS

1. Cheshire, Fifoot & Furmston. The Law of Contract (14th Ed) (Important text)
2. Dowouna Hammond, Christine.The Law of Contract (main text)
3. Godwin Adagewine, Selected Topics on Business Law in Ghana (supplementary
text)
4. Smith & Thomas (1992). Cases & Materials on the Law of Contract (important
text)
5. Burrows, A. (2005). Remedies and Breach of Contract (3rd Ed). Oxford University
Press (important text)
6. Duxbury, R. (2012). Contract Law: Nutshells. London. Sweet & Clarendon
7. Ruff, A. (2011). Contract Law: Nutcases. London. Sweet & Maxwell.
8. Atiyah, P.S. The Rise and Fall of Freedom of Contract. Clarendon (important text,
but not yet available in the library)
9. Stone, R. (2005). The Modern Law of Contract. Cavendish
10. Atiyah, P.S. (1981). Promises, Morals and Laws. Clarendon Press
11. Bondzi-Simpson, Philip Ebow (2010). Law of Contract with Special Reference to
the Law of Ghana (2nd ed.). Avant Associates (important text)

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