Introduction • Duress • Undue Influence – the presumption of undue influence, undue influence as of fact, discharging the onus of proof, delay in seeking relief; Undue influence and third party lending institutions and approach of Irish courts; • Unconscionable Bargains – approach of the Irish courts, upholding unconscionable bargains

Discharge of contract through performance (including entire and divisible contracts), fault of one party preventing performance, tender of performance • Discharge through agreement – rescission through accord and satisfaction, variation, waiver and estoppel. • Discharge following a breach of contract (including repuditory breach, fundamental breach, breach of condition and employment contracts; consequences of breach). • Discharge through operation of law – the doctrine of frustration – theoretical basis of frustration, frustration of the business venture frustration and illegality, self-induced frustration, contracts of employment, frustration of a lease, effects of the doctrine of frustration.

Underlying principles • Damages –Classification of the measure of compensation, punitive damages, unjust enrichment, “speculative” damages, quantification of damages, remoteness of the damage, mitigation of loss, contributory negligence, interest, penalty and liquidated damages clauses, quantum meruit • Equitable Remedies - specific performance, injunctive relief, rescission, rectification

Concept of privity of contract – origins, equity’s response to actions brought by third parties, agency, covenants running with the land, statutory exceptions to the privity doctrine, reform