CHARLEY JIM v. MOSES ALIK

This matter came on for trial on October 27, 1989. Plaintiff was represented by Harry Seymour, defendant by Rison Wakuk.

The facts are as follows. Plaintiff and defendant agreed that plaintiff would purchase from defendant a Subaru Van; purchase price 2,500; terms 1,000 down and the balance to be paid in installments. The period of installments was disputed and uncertain at trial.

Plaintiff took the van home, replaced the tires costing Fifty Four Dollars ($54) and the fuel pump, costing Two-Hundred Thirty-One Dollars 0231). For, four months thereafter plaintiff made no installment payments.

Subsequently, defendant sent his younger brother to repossess the van, which he did. Plaintiff now seeks more than 3,500 in damages for breach of contract.

The first issue presented is whether the agreement entered into between plaintiff and defendant was the type of agreement which this Court will enforce. Stated differently, did the agreement contain sufficiently definite terms to constitute a contract?

...must be definite and certain as to its terms and requirements; it must identify the subject matter and spell out the essential commitments and agreements with respect thereto ....It is evident that courts can neither specifically enforce agreements nor award substantial damages for their breach when they are wanting in certainty. 17 Am Jur 2d Contracts, Section 75, p. 413, 414

Where the agreement between the parties is too vague and uncertain that the Court cannot determine who is the breaching party, or cannot fashion a remedy to enforce the agreement, there is no contract. The Restatement 2d of Contracts states that an agreement must "provide a basis for determining the existence of a breach and for giving an appropriate remedy." Restatement 2d Contracts §33(2).

Here, the Court is unable to determine, from the evidence presented, which party breached the agreement. This is because the parties did not agree upon sufficiently definite terms regarding when installment payments were to be made. The parties unfortunately did not reduce their agreement to writing, and only provided that further payments would be made sometime in the future. From this evidence the Court simply cannot determine which party was in breach.

Though subsequent acts of the parties can cure the indefiniteness (see Generally Farnsworth, Contracts X3.28, p.196), the Court finds no evidence of any subsequent acts here that could set a date for installment payments.

Having found that no contract existed for lack of definite terms, the Court is presented with a situation where defendant retains an improved van and the cash paid for the downpayment. In order to remedy the situation, the Court must use its inherent equity power to fashion a remedy under the doctrine of restitution.

Restitution is a remedy which returns the benefits already received by a party to the party who gave them where the court can find no Contract. See Farnsworth, Supra, at X12.19, p. 903. It has been defined as:

not only the restoration or giving back of something to its rightful owner, but also compensation, reimbursement, indemnification, or reparation for benefits derived from, or for loss or injury caused to, another. 66 Am Jur 2d Restitution and Implied Contracts Section 1, p.942.

Sometimes the remedy is phrased in terms of preventing "unjust enrichment". Here, where the Court cannot find that a contract existed, but defendant retains the downpayment and an improved van, the unusual remedy of restitution is most appropriate.

Plaintiff received the benefit of the use of the van for four months. No evidence was offered at trial regarding fair rental values of similar vehicles. Therefore, the Court determines that One-Hundred Dollars 0100) per month is a fair sum for the use of the van.

Defendant received one-Thousand Dollars (1,000) downpayment and Two-Hundred Eighty Five Dollars (285) in improvements to the van, for a total of One Thousand Two Hundred Eighty Five Dollars (1,285).

Therefore, it is the judgment of this court that defendant shall pay to plaintiff the sum of Eight Hundred Eighty-Five Dollars (1,285 minus 400). The Court is aware that defendant may not be able to pay this sum at once; therefore, defendant shall have six months to satisfy the judgment, paying statutory interest of nine percent per year, computed at each payment, until paid.


	KOSRAE STATE COURT FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA Cite as Jim v. Alik , Kosrae St. (1989) [Kos.Ct pge 1] CHARLEY JIM, Plaintiff vs MOSES ALIK, Defendant CIVIL ACTION N0. 55-88 OPINION OPINION Before the Honorable Harry H. Skilling Chief Justice Trial Date: October 27, 1989 Decided: November 24, 1989 APPEARANCES: Plaintiff - Harry Seymour Trial Counselor ML SC Tofol, Kosrae State 96944 Defendant - Rison Wakuk Trial Counselor Utwe, Kosrae State 96944 [Kos.Ct pge 2] This matter came on for trial on October 27, 1989. Plaintiff was represented by Harry Seymour, defendant by Rison Wakuk. FACTS The facts are as follows. Plaintiff and defendant agreed that plaintiff would purchase from defendant a Subaru Van; purchase price 2,500; terms 1,000 down and the balance to be paid in installments. The period of installments was disputed and uncertain at trial. Plaintiff took the van home, replaced the tires costing Fifty Four Dollars ($54) and the fuel pump, costing Two-Hundred Thirty-One Dollars 0231). For, four months thereafter plaintiff made no installment payments. Subsequently, defendant sent his younger brother to repossess the van, which he did. Plaintiff now seeks more than 3,500 in damages for breach of contract. DISCUSSION The first issue presented is whether the agreement entered into between plaintiff and defendant was the type of agreement which this Court will enforce. Stated differently, did the agreement contain sufficiently definite terms to constitute a contract? Generally, a contract, in order to be enforceable by law: ...must be definite and certain as to its terms and requirements; it must identify the subject matter and spell out the essential commitments and agreements with respect thereto ....It is evident that courts can neither specifically enforce agreements nor award substantial damages for their breach when they are wanting in certainty. 17 Am Jur 2d Contracts, Section 75, p. 413, 414 [Kos.Ct pge 3] Where the agreement between the parties is too vague and uncertain that the Court cannot determine who is the breaching party, or cannot fashion a remedy to enforce the agreement, there is no contract. The Restatement 2d of Contracts states that an agreement must "provide a basis for determining the existence of a breach and for giving an appropriate remedy." Restatement 2d Contracts §33(2). Here, the Court is unable to determine, from the evidence presented, which party breached the agreement. This is because the parties did not agree upon sufficiently definite terms regarding when installment payments were to be made. The parties unfortunately did not reduce their agreement to writing, and only provided that further payments would be made sometime in the future. From this evidence the Court simply cannot determine which party was in breach. Though subsequent acts of the parties can cure the indefiniteness (see Generally Farnsworth, Contracts X3.28, p.196), the Court finds no evidence of any subsequent acts here that could set a date for installment payments. Having found that no contract existed for lack of definite terms, the Court is presented with a situation where defendant retains an improved van and the cash paid for the downpayment. In order to remedy the situation, the Court must use its inherent equity power to fashion a remedy under the doctrine of restitution. [Kos.Ct pge 4] Restitution is a remedy which returns the benefits already received by a party to the party who gave them where the court can find no Contract. See Farnsworth, Supra, at X12.19, p. 903. It has been defined as: not only the restoration or giving back of something to its rightful owner, but also compensation, reimbursement, indemnification, or reparation for benefits derived from, or for loss or injury caused to, another. 66 Am Jur 2d Restitution and Implied Contracts Section 1, p.942. Sometimes the remedy is phrased in terms of preventing "unjust enrichment". Here, where the Court cannot find that a contract existed, but defendant retains the downpayment and an improved van, the unusual remedy of restitution is most appropriate. Plaintiff received the benefit of the use of the van for four months. No evidence was offered at trial regarding fair rental values of similar vehicles. Therefore, the Court determines that One-Hundred Dollars 0100) per month is a fair sum for the use of the van. Defendant received one-Thousand Dollars (1,000) downpayment and Two-Hundred Eighty Five Dollars (285) in improvements to the van, for a total of One Thousand Two Hundred Eighty Five Dollars (1,285). Therefore, it is the judgment of this court that defendant shall pay to plaintiff the sum of Eight Hundred Eighty-Five Dollars (1,285 minus 400). The Court is aware that defendant may not be able to pay this sum at once; therefore, defendant shall have six months to satisfy the judgment, paying statutory interest of nine percent per year, computed at each payment, until paid. [Kos.Ct pge 5] SO ORDERED this 24 day of November, 1989. /s/ Harry H. Skilling Chief Justice Entered this 24th day of November, 1989. /s/ Chief Clerk of Court, Kosrae