BCL – L1 – SA – Q51 – Contract Law

Effect of promisor's death on a contract to paint a picture.

Question

A undertakes to paint a picture of B. He dies before he paints the picture. The contract

A is discharged by death

B becomes voidable

C becomes voidable at the option of the legal representatives of A

D will have to be performed by the legal representatives of A

Answer

Explanation:
The correct answer is A because the contract involves a personal service (painting a picture), which is dependent on the specific skills of the promisor (A). In contract law, if a promisor dies and the contract requires their personal performance, the contract is discharged due to impossibility. The legal representatives are not obligated to perform, nor is the contract voidable; it simply ends. Options B, C, and D are incorrect as they misrepresent the legal effect of death in such contracts.

Tags: Contract Law, Death of Promisor, Discharge of Contract, Personal Services
Level: Level 1

Topic: Contract Law

Uploader: Samuel Duah