Accounting for Profit for Breach of Contract

Theory and Practice
1. Auflage 2012
ISBN: 978-1-84946-251-8
Verlag: Hart Publishing

Buch, Englisch, Band 2, 256 Seiten, Format (B × H): 156 mm x 234 mm, Gewicht: 540 g

Reihe: Hart Studies in Private Law

This book defends the view that an award of an account of profits (or 'disgorgement damages') for breach of contract will sometimes be justifiable, and fits within the orthodox principles and cases in contract law. However there is some confusion as to when such an award should be made. The moral bases for disgorgement damages are deterrence and punishment, which shape the remedy in important ways. Courts are also concerned with vindication of the claimant's performance interest, and it is pivotal in these cases that the claimant cannot procure a substitute performance via an award of damages or specific relief.

The book argues that disgorgement damages should be available in two categories of case: 'second sale' cases, where the defendant breaches his contract with the claimant to make a more profitable contract with a third party; and 'agency problem' cases, where the defendant promises the claimant he will not do a certain thing, and the claimant finds it difficult to supervise the performance. Moreover, disgorgement may be full or partial, and 'reasonable fee damages' for breach of contract are best understood as partial disgorgement rather than 'restitutionary damages'. Equitable bars to relief should also be adopted in relation to disgorgement damages, as should allowances for skill and effort.

This book will be of interest to contract and commercial lawyers, and will be especially valuable to anyone with an interest in contract remedies and restitution. It draws on case law in a number of common law jurisdictions, primarily England and Wales, and Australia.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Barnett, Katy

Fachgebiete

• Rechtswissenschaften Recht, Rechtswissenschaft Allgemein Rechtstheorie, Rechtsmethodik, Rechtsdogmatik, Rechtsprechungslehre
• Rechtswissenschaften Ausländisches Recht Common Law (UK, USA, Australien u.a.)

Inhaltsverzeichnis

1 Introduction2 Rationales Behind Disgorgement Damages 3 The Claimant's 'Legitimate Interest' and the Role of Substitutability 4 'Second Sale' Cases 5 'Agency Problem' Cases 6 The Role of 'Restitutionary Damages' 7 Allowances and Bars to Relief 8 Conclusion

Über Autor(innen)

Barnett, Katy
Katy Barnett is a Lecturer in Law at the University of Melbourne.

Katy Barnett is a Lecturer in Law at the University of Melbourne.