1L - First Year Lesson Topics

This lesson discusses cost of completion as a remedy that is awarded when there is work still to be completed under a contract, or when the work called for under the contract was completed improperly. The author explains the relationship between expectation damages and cost of completion remedy. The lesson concludes with review questions.

The lesson addresses the concept of restitution as a remedy alternative to the expectation measure. The author discusses the elements that one has to prove to be awarded restitution. Next, the differences between reliance and restitution are explained. The material also covers the rule that contract bars the suit in restitution as well as exceptions to it. In the last part, the ways of measuring restitution damages are explained. The lesson ends with review questions on that subject.

The lesson begins with explanations of the terms substantial performance and substantial breach, followed by examples of each. The next section discusses factors listed in the Restatement that are taken into consideration when determining whether there has been a substantial breach. The doctrine of substantial performance in the sale of goods (UCC § 2-508) is described. The lesson ends with review questions.

This lesson explains the concept of excuse of performance by referring to K & G Construction Co. v. Harris. The author discusses factors that are taken into consideration when determining whether a breach was substantial and illustrates them in analysis of Walker & Co. v. Harrison. The next section covers interference as a basis for excuse, followed by a discussion about damages in excuse of performance cases. This lesson ends with a number of review questions to help you better understand the concept.

In this lesson the concept of foreseeability is illustrated by studying Hadley v. Baxendale. The author explains the meaning of the term "reasonably foreseeable" and presents multiple examples. The lesson ends with a several review questions on this subject.

This lesson gives the student familiarity with contributory negligence, a defense to a negligence claim, and also with last clear chance, a "defense" to the defense. While these doctrines today are on the wane, students should be generally familiar with them for a full understanding of negligence and comparative negligence.

This lesson explores the cause of action of conversion as a means of compensation for intentional interferences with personal property. It will examine the several components of interest, invasion, conduct and remedy as the conceptual vehicles for study. Each section of the lesson will focus on one of these components, present the theory, and then give the student an opportunity to apply the theory or explore some of its ramifications.

This lesson gives the basics of copyright and trademark research, including historical background, statutes, regulations, cases, secondary sources, international materials, and current awareness tools.

This lesson explores the issue of whether, in computing the expectation remedy, the court will award the cost of completion or the diminution in value. The lesson can be run either as an introduction to this aspect of damages or as a review after you have completed your study.

We are all aware of the perils of poor electronic legal research skills. And, we have all heard of ways the misuse of electronic legal resources has challenged those engaged in legal practice. Though Westlaw® and Lexis® provide us with sophisticated functionality that can ease the pain of legal research, these systems do not necessarily provide the most cost efficient means of conducting research.

This lesson is designed to teach a student about the various types of covenants of title in deeds and the different types of deeds arising from the covenants they contain. Students who are unfamiliar with real covenants are advised to review the CALI lessons related to real covenants before trying this lesson.