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Contract: Remedies

Liquidated damages and penalty clauses

  • 3 things to know
  • Components 2 and 3

Overview

Liquidated damages clause, penalty clause and legitimate interest for these purposes.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

What is a liquidated damages clause?

Key term

What is a penalty clause?

Key term

Why do commercial parties use liquidated damages clauses?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What is a liquidated damages clause?

    Model answer

    A liquidated damages clause fixes in advance the sum payable on a particular breach. The agreed sum is recoverable without proof of the actual loss.

  2. 2

    What is a penalty clause?

    Model answer

    A penalty clause imposes a payment out of proportion to any legitimate interest of the innocent party. A penalty clause is unenforceable.

  3. 3

    Why do commercial parties use liquidated damages clauses?

    Model answer

    A fixed sum avoids arguments about the amount of the loss. Each side can price the risk of delay before the work begins.

  4. 4

    What tests did Dunlop Pneumatic Tyre Co v New Garage and Motor Co [1915] lay down?

    Model answer

    Dunlop Pneumatic Tyre Co v New Garage and Motor Co [1915] asked whether the sum was a genuine pre-estimate of loss. Lord Dunedin treated an extravagant sum, or one payable on several different breaches, as a penalty.

  5. 5

    How did Cavendish Square Holding BV v Makdessi [2015] change the test?

    Model answer

    Cavendish Square Holding BV v Makdessi [2015] asked whether the clause imposes a detriment out of all proportion to a legitimate interest. The Supreme Court moved away from the genuine pre-estimate language.

  6. 6

    What was decided in ParkingEye Ltd v Beavis [2015]?

    Model answer

    ParkingEye Ltd v Beavis [2015] upheld an £85 charge for overstaying in a free car park. The operator and the landowner had a legitimate interest in managing the turnover of spaces.

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