International Bachelor of Law

Course Description

2014
Contract Law YEAR 1

Administrative Information
Course name:
Coordinator:
Lecturer(s):
Duration:

Contract Law
Abiola Makinwa
Abiola Makinwa / Ian Curry-Sumner
10 weeks

Code (Osiris):
Credits:
Study load hours:
Period/Year:

LAW 3305
3
3 x 28 = 84
2/1

Course Information
Content (short description):
This course introduces students to the essential principles of the Law of Contract. These include the
definition, and sources of contract law; the formation and binding force of contracts; the terms of a contract
and their and interpretation; factors that affect the validity of contracts, rules relating to the performance of
obligations under a contract, as well as remedies for non-performance.
Most countries have rules that deal with these essential questions but there is no single uniform law of
contracts. National, regional and international rules can provide students with functional understanding of
contract law principles. In addition, non-binding restatements of law, international principles also provide
useful insight into solutions to contract law issues. In this course, the US Restatement (2nd) of Contracts,
the Principles of European Contract Law and English Common Law are used to illustrate the operation of
principles of contract law.
Relation of the course to the body of knowledge:
The course Contract Law is part of the International Bachelor of Law Program of The Hague University of
Applied Science and is scheduled in the Second Quarter of the Second Year (Transition Year Students).
Along with the courses on Family Law, Tort Law and Property Law, it is one of the courses offered to second
year (transition) students by the Comparative Law Line.
Teaching aims:
Using the course text, selected cases and other materials students will learn to identify and anticipate the
issues and problems that arise in the different stages in the life of a contract, from its creation to its
dissolution. In particular students will:
Understand how to apply basic principles of contract law to transactions between persons.
Develop the ability to identify problems that may arise in a contractual relationship.
Develop an ability to offer advice on how problems arising in a contractual relationship may be resolved.
Course Competence Table
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Legal Analysis
Advising
Representation
Decision-making
Regulating
File Management
Organisation
Legal Communication

Level
1
1

How the competences are met in the course:

Assignment/Exam
Assignment/Exam

Assignment/Exam

Required Reading Material:

Literature: Contract Law, Professor Hugh Beale, Jacobien W. Rutgers & Stefan Vogenauer, Ius Commune
Casebooks for the Common Law of Europe, 2010.
Other:

Law Collection Contract Law

International Bachelor of Law

Course Description

Organisation:
Lecture 1:
Lecture 2:
Lecture 3:
Lecture 4:
Lecture 5:
Lecture 6:
Lecture 7:

2014
Contract Law YEAR 1

Introduction and Methodology of the Course / Sources

Formation(1): Offer and Acceptance
Formation(2): Intention / Consideration / Form
Vitiating Factors (Defects of Consent)(1)
Vitiating Factors (Defects of Consent)(2)
Discharge of Contract
Remedies for Non performance

In addition, students will also have an interactive workshop for each lecture where they deepen their
understanding of the principles taught in the lecture.
Exam form / assessment:
3-hour exam.
40 Multiple Choice questions

Entry requirements:
None

International Bachelor of Law

Course Description

2014
Contract Law YEAR 1

Week-to-week overview
Week
WEEK 1

Who
AM

Description
WK/Lecture 1: Introduction / Methodology
___________________________________________________________________
Subjects:
- Contract law in a Global World
- Effect of different national solutions to contract law issues
- Functional comparison of contract law solutions
- Europeanisation of Contract Law
- What is Contract law?
- Compared with Torts, Criminal Law
- Binding Nature of Contractual Obligations
- Sources of general contract law.
- Primary Sources - National Law / International Non-Binding Principles /
International Conventions
- Secondary sources - Restatements / Principles / Commercial Custom /
Academic Writing
- Private International law issues
- Introduction to the Contract Law Assignment
Required Activity
1. Visit website of Commission on European Contract Law. Find and run
through the PECL.
http://frontpage.cbs.dk/law/commission_on_european_contract_law/
2. Visit website of United Nations Commission on International Trade Law. Find
and run through the CISG.
http://www.uncitral.org/uncitral/en/uncitral_texts/sale_goods/1980CISG.html
3. Visit website of the American Law Institute and run through material relating
to the Restatement (2nd) of Contracts https://www.ali.org/index.cfm?
fuseaction=about.overview
Required Reading:
Beale et al pp 3 6 / 28 30 / 36 37/77 - 85
Questions for Class Discussion:
Is there one single approach to contract law issues?
What does contract law look like in the 21st century?
What is the benefit of a functional approach to the study of contract law?
What are the disadvantages of a functional approach to the study of contract law?
Are there binding rules of European Contract Law?
Where is Contract law found in French Law? In English Law?
Give examples soft contract law
What is PECL? How does it compare to the Restatement?
Is there likely to be a European Civil Code in the near future?
What are the Private International law implications of the multiplicity of contract law
systems? How is this resolved in Europe?

WEEK 2

AM
ICS

Lecture 2:

Formation (1) Offer and Acceptance

Subjects:
1. Contract = Bargain = Manifestation of Assent = Offer and Acceptance
2. Offer
- Offer v. mere invitation to make an offer
- Advertisements / displays of goods in shops
- Essential Elements of an offer
- Revocability of an Offer
- Lapse of Offer
3. Acceptance
- Nature of an Acceptance Communication?

International Bachelor of Law

Course Description

2014
Contract Law YEAR 1

Unqualified Acceptance / Counter-offers

i. Mirror Image Rule
ii. Battle of the Forms
When does Acceptance take effect?
i. Mail box Rule / Receipt rule

Required Reading:
Rules - offer
Restatement: Sections 1, 2, 17, 21, 22,24,26,33, 35, 36, 38. 39, 42, 48,205.
PECL: Articles 1:101, Art1:102, Art1:103, Art1:201, 2:101, 2:102. Art2:103, Art
2:201 Art 2:202
Rules - Acceptance
Restatement: Sections 21, 22, 50, 52,58,59, 63,64,
PECL: Art 2:201, 2:202, 2:203, 2:204, 2:205, 2:206, 2:207, 2:208, 2:209
Cases
Hugin Sweda. [Beale et al p. 248 249]
Partridge v. Crittenden.[Beale et al p.253]
Land for Sale Case. [Beale et al pp, 253 255]
Carlill v. Carbolic Smoke Ball Co. [Beale et al pp. 255 257]
Lefkowitz v. Great Minneapolis Surplus Store.[Beale et al 257]
Pharmaceutical Society v. Boots Cash Chemists. [Beale et al pp 258 - 259]
Gibson v. Manchester City Council. [Beale et al 243 248]
Dickinson v. Dodds. [Beale et al p.210 271]
Daulia v. Four Millbank Nominees. [Beale et al 273 274]
Manchester Diocesan Council v. Commercial Investments. [Beale et al pp. 280
282]
Adams v. Lindsell [Beale et al pp. 297 298]
Literature
Offer: Beale et al pp39 40/ 44 45/66 76 / 241 262.
Revocability: Beale et al pp 263 264 / 270 272
Lapse of Offer: Beale et al pp 278 - 284
Acceptance: Beale et al pp 285 - 304
Questions for Class Discussion:
What is the difference between unilateral and bilateral contracts?
What are the requirements of an offer?
How can an offeror end an offer?
How long does an offer last?
Can all contracts be analyzed in terms of offer and acceptance?
What is revocation?
Until what moment when can an offer be revoked?
When is an acceptance effective?
What is a counter-offer?
What is the Postal (Mailbox) Rule?
WEEK 3
.

AM
ICS

Lecture 3:

Formation (2) : Intention/ Consideration / Form

Subjects:
1. Intention to Create Legal relations.
- Social and Domestic Agreements
- Commercial transactions
- Gentlemens agreements
- Comfort Letters
2. The requirement for consideration: Common vs. civil law solutions
3.Basic rules of consideration (common law)
- Must move from the promisee
- Must not be past
- Adequacy of Consideration

International Bachelor of Law

Course Description

2014
Contract Law YEAR 1

- Gratuitious promises that have been relied on

4. Form of a Contract
Requirements as to Form
Oral / Written / Statute of Frauds / Signature
5. Effect of reducing Contract into Writing
Parole Evidence Rule
Exceptions to Parol Evidence Rule
Integrated Contracts
Merger Clauses
Required Reading:
Rules Intention
Restatement Sections 21,
PECL Art 2:101
Rules Consideration
Restatement Sections 71, 72, 73, 75,79, 281 / 110, 131, 132,
PECL Art 2:101
Rules Form
Restatement Sections 110, 131, 132,
PECL Art 2:101
Cases
Carlill v. Carbolic Smoke Ball Co [Beale et al pp192 - 193]
Dunlop v. Selfridge [Beale et al 1175 1178]
Harrington v. Taylor [Beale et al 196]
Pao On v. Lau Yiu Long [Beale et al pp197 199]
Central London Property Trust Ltd v High Trees House Ltd. [Beale et al pp 208
209]
Balfour v. Balfour [Beale et al 344 345]
Rose & Frank Co. V. JR Crompton Bros [Beale et al pp 346 348]
Kleinwort Benson Ltd v. Malaysia Mining Corporation [Beale et al pp 352 354]
Literature
Intention: Beale et al pp 335 336 /344 348 / 351 354 / 370.
Consideration: Beale et al pp169 170/ 189 200 / 205 210
Form: Beale et al pp 216 216 / 225 228 / 238.
Questions for Class Discussion:
Why is intention an essential element of a valid contract?
Are gentlemans agreements binding?
What is a comfort letter?
What is consideration?
Is consideration an essential element of all contracts?
What is the difference between executed and executory consideration?
What is meant by the expression consideration must not be past?
What are the exceptions to the past consideration rule?
Must consideration be adequate?
Must consideration be sufficient?
What is promissory estoppel?
Is writing compulsory for a contract to be enforceable?
Are there contracts that must be in writing to be enforceable?
What is the statute of frauds?
What is the parol evidence rule?
Are there exceptions to the parol evidence rules?
What is a completely integrated agreement?
What is a merger clause?
WEEK 4

AM
ICS

Lecture 4: Vitiating Factors (Defects of Consent)(1)

Subjects:

International Bachelor of Law

Course Description

2014
Contract Law YEAR 1

1. Capacity
Minors / Intoxicated and Mentally impaired Persons
2. Fraud / Misrepresentation
3. Mistake
Required Reading:
Rules
Restatement
Capacity Sections, 12, 14, 15, 16,
Fraud / Misrepresentation 159,161,162,163,164,167.
Mistake Sections 151, 152, 153, 154.
PECL:
Capacity Section 4:101
Fraud / Misrepresentation Sections
Mistake Sections 4:103, 4:104, 4;105, 4;106, 4;107,
Cases
Capacity
Nash v. Inman (1908) 2 KB 1, CA
Fraud/ Misrepresentation
Derry v Peek [Beale et al p. 433]
Mistake
Raffles v. Winchelhaus [Beale et al pp. 447 449]
Hertog v. Colin & Shields Beale et al pp 456 457].
Bell v. Lever Bros [Beale et al 488 495]
Literature
Fraud / Misrepresentation: 429 437.
Mistake: 441 449 / 452- 453/ 456 457 / 467 471 / 488 495 / 529 534.
Questions for Class Discussion:
Do all persons have the capacity to enter into a contract?
What contracts are binding on a minor?
What is the effect of fraud on a contract?
What is a misrepresentation?
What is the effect of mistake on a contract?
What is the effect of misrepresentation
WEEK 5

AM
ICS

Lecture 5: Vitiating Factors (Defects of Consent)(2)

Subjects:
1. Threats
2. Abuse of Circumstances
3. Immorality / Illegality
Required Reading:
Rules
Restatement
Threats Sections 12, 14, 15, 16,
Abuse of Circumstances Sections 159,161,162,163,164,167.
Immorality / Illegality Sections151, 152, 153, 154.
PECL:
Threats Sections 4:08
Abuse of Circumstances Section 4:109
Immorality / Illegality Section 15:101,15:102
Cases
Threats / Abuse of Circumstances
Barton v. Armstrong [1976] AC 104 [Beale et al pp 557 558]

International Bachelor of Law

Course Description

2014
Contract Law YEAR 1

Royal Bank of Scotland v. Etridge (no. 2) [Beale et al pp 583 588]

Immoral and Illegal contracts
Schroeder Music Publishing Co. V. Macaulay [Beale et al pp 621 622]
St John Shipping Corp v. Joseph rank Ltd [Beale et al pp 636 639]
Literature
Threats / Undue Influence: 539 540 / 553 558 /582 588 / 594-595.
Immoral and Illegal Contracts: 607 608 / 612 613 / 619 622 / 635 639.
Questions for Class Discussion:
What is the effect of threats, abuse of circumstances or illegality on a contract?
What is the difference between mistake and misrepresentation?
Give examples of immoral contracts.
Give examples of illegal contracts.
WEEK 6

AM
ICS

Lecture 6:

Discharge of A Contract.

Outline
1. Performance
a. Complete / Substantial / Part performance
b. Strict Rule
i. Exceptions to Strict Rule
Separable Contracts / part performance
Substantial performance
2. Agreement
a. Unilateral Agreements
b. Bilateral Agreements
3. Frustration (Supervening Events)
a. Strict liability for Contractual Obligations
b. Doctrine of Frustration/Force Majuere / Hardship
i. Impossibility of performance
ii. Illegality in Performance
iii. Non-occurrence of central event
c. Limitations on Doctrine of frustration
i. Frustration self-induced
ii. Contract merely more difficult to perform
iii. Foreseeable risk of frustrating event
4. Breach
a. Minor and major breach
b. Breach of Warranty
c. Breach of Condition
5. EXAM PREP
Required Reading:
Cases
Re Moore and Landauer [1921] 2 KB 519
Cutter v Powell (1795) 6 Term Rep 320
Paradine v. Jane (1647) Aleyn 26
Taylor v. Caldwell [Beale et al pp.1107 -1109]
Krell v. Henry [Beale et al pp. 110 1115]

Rules
Restatement Sections 235 238, 241 243 261 - 266, 272.
PECL:6:111, 7:101 7:105, 8:101 104, 8:108,
Literature

International Bachelor of Law

Course Description

2014
Contract Law YEAR 1

Beale et al pp1093 1095 / 1101 / 1106 1114 / 1124 1126 / 1127 1129 /
1135 1136.
Questions for Class Discussion:
What is discharge of contract
How can a contract be discharged?
What is performance?
What is breach?
Distinguish between minor and major breach.
What is discharge by operation of Law?
What is frustration?
What is the doctrine of hardship?
Can a contract be discharged by agreement?
What must be established for a contract to be discharged by supervening
impossibility?
What are the legal consequences of impossibility of performance?
WEEK 7

AM
ICS

Lecture 7:

Remedies for breach of Contract

Subjects:
1. Non-performance of contract may lead to claim for a remedy
2. Purpose of remedies
3. Types of remedies
4. Overview England / US / PECL
5. Focus of lecture
a. Damages / Specific Performance
6. Damages
a. General measure of damages
b. Liquidated and unliquidated damages
c. Liquidated damages must not be penalty
i. Dunlop / Photo Production
ii. S. 356 Restatement
iii. Art 9:509 PECL
d. Unliquidated damages
i. Causation
ii. Remoteness
iii. Mitigation
7. Specific Performance
a. Rationale for specific performance
b. Under the common law = Discretionary Remedy
c. Under Civil Law = Right of the Injured party
8. EXAM PREP
Required Reading:
Cases
Falcke v. Grey [Beale et al pp. 846 847]
Dunlop Pneumatic Tyre Co Ltd v New Garage and Motor Co Ltd [ Beale et al
pp.1052 1055]
Photo Production Ltd v Securicor Ltd [Beale et al pp. 978 979]
Hadley v. Baxendale [Beale et al pp. 1005 1009]

Rules
Restatement Section 344 - 357
PECL Art 9 :101 - 102, Articles 9:501 505
Literature
Beale et al pp 839 840 / 846 850 / 915 -917 / 928 929/ 931 937 / 976 -

International Bachelor of Law

Course Description

2014
Contract Law YEAR 1

981
Questions for Class Discussion :
What are the primary remedies for a breach of contract?
What is meant by an equitable remedy?
What is the rescission of a contract?
What is specific performance?
Is specific performance a discretionary remedy?
When will specific performance not be allowed?
What are damages?
What is the purpose of damages in contract law?
What are the principle types of damages?
Are punitive damages allowed as a contract law remedy?
What is meant by mitigation of damages?
What is meant by remoteness of damage?
Week 8

Week 9

Reserve Week
First Chance Exam Monday 26 November

International Bachelor of Law

Course Description

2014
Contract Law YEAR 1

Schedule 2 Assignment No 13
Samantha Anan owns a garden renovation business in New York. On 1 st Formal
September 2014, she received a telephone call from Yancho Chun about Requirements
installing a new stone patio in his garden also in New York. After looking over
the house, Samantha sent the following letter to Yancho on 10th September.
-A4
- max 1200
Dear Yancho Chun,
words
-11 point
Installation of New Stone Patio
-2,5 margin
-Header with
I will install a new stone patio in your garden at 10 Kings Street, with name, date and
2,000 natural red stones for $5,000. This offer is subject to the file
following terms and conditions:
a. If you are agreeable, sign below and return this letter to my office,
51 Court Street within 10 days.
b. You must remove all lawn furniture and prune all shrubs that are
in the way.
c. We will not be responsible for damage to yard plants.
Sincerely,
Samantha Anan
Accepted:_____________ (Date)_____________________
When Yancho received this letter on the 11th September, he signed it and
mailed it back to Samantha on the 12 th September. When Samantha received it
she scheduled a crew to begin work on 28 th September. However, on 15th
September not having heard from Samantha, Yancho contacted Dennis who
agreed to build the new stone patio for $4,000 with $1,000, payable in
advance. Yancho paid Dennis the $1,000, and immediately wrote to Samantha
telling her not to bother as he had made other arrangements. On the morning of
the 28th September Samantha and her crew headed for Yanchos house stopping
on the way at Excellent Stone Foundry to pick up the red natural stone. While
they were picking up the stones, the postman dropped the letter from Yancho
informing Samantha about the new arrangement with Dennis into the letterbox
at Samanthas office.
Yancho was not at home when Samantha and her crew arrived but they had
access to the garden and started immediately. They got in a full day of work,
removing all the old stones before Yancho returned from work. When Yancho
returned he demanded that they immediately stop all their activity and insists
that he had rejected Samanthas offer. Samantha vehemently disagrees and
insists that Yancho must let her finish the job and pay her the agreed price.
Yancho consults your law firm on this matter. You are required give an advice
on whether there is an enforceable contract between Yancho and Samantha. In
giving this advice you should assess the goal your client is trying to achieve,
the interests you should take into consideration, the form the advice should
take and also tailor your advice to the client.
Note:
(1) Please use the American Restatement of Contract Law (2nd) in giving
your advice.
Contract Law Resit Assignment - Year 2

International Bachelor of Law

Course Description

2014
Contract Law YEAR 1

By an agreement, dated 27th May, 2014, TSR agreed to let, and Great
Artists agreed to rent the ultra-modern Apollo Music Hall, Delft, for the
following days, Monday the 16th June, 2014, Monday the 14th July,
2014, Monday the 4th August, 2014, and Monday the 16th of August,
2014 for the purpose of giving a series of four shows by the Soweto
Gospel Choir, at the rent or sum of 5,000 euros for each of those days.
After the making of the agreement, and before the first day on which a
concert was to be given, the Hall was destroyed by fire on the 11th of
June. TSR was not responsible in any way for the fire. As soon as the
situation and extent of destruction became clear TSR urgently informed
Great Artists of the disaster (on the very day that it occurred). The
destruction was so complete that it became impossible to give the
concerts.
Great Artists has lost the moneys paid for the advertising, printing of
posters, flight tickets, performance fees and other expenses incurred in
preparing for the gospel concert. All efforts to renegotiate the costs
incurred have failed as TSR is not willing to pay the costs incurred by
Great Artists.
You are a junior lawyer at RST Associates and have been asked to
prepare a draft letter of advice for the Great Artists.
Please advise your client by taking the following steps.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Perform a legal analysis of this case.

Assess the goal your client is trying to achieve.
What are the relevant interests that you should take into
consideration?
Determine the form of advice that suits the purpose.
Tailor your advice to the client.

Format: This assignment will take the form of a letter that is

preceded by 2 explanatory sections. These explanatory sections
should be included in a cover page to the letter of advice.
1.
2.
3.

Explanatory section 1 Legal Analysis (max 600 words)

Explanatory section 2 Identification / Weighing of different
interests (max 200 words)
Letter of advice will show evidence of the Legal advice
tailored to the needs of the client (max 400)

Please note that whenever the facts of the case point to the application
of a civil law jurisdiction in Europe you are required to use the Principles
of European Contract Law (PECL) unless otherwise specified.
Please note that whenever the facts of the case point to the application
of US Law you are required to use the Restatement (Second) of
Contracts unless otherwise specified.

International Bachelor of Law

Course Description

2014
Contract Law YEAR 1

SCHEDULE 1: House rules, standards of excellence, grading standards

Contact info
Dr. Abiola Makinwa
Email: a.o.makinwa@hhs.nl
Mailbox: #130 at the BRV Secretariat (near SL4.80)
Office: SL.4.76
Office hours: Mondays till Thursday. (Make an appointment by e-mail first)
Dr. Ian Curry Sumner
Email: TBA
Mailbox: 161
Office: SL.4.78
Office hours: TBA
Email/phone policy
We are happy to discuss a wide range of issues related to the course content. However, for the sake
of efficiency, we prefer to answer questions at the class sessions where all the students can benefit
from the answer, not individually via email, phone or stopping by our offices. Please save your
questions for class.
Attendance policy
Attendance is mandatory and we expect you to be present for all sessions. Attendance is not a
separately graded item and not a part of your grade. However, attendance has a direct impact on your
ability to perform on the assignment and the final examination.
Please be on time. It is understood that sometimes trams are late or other factors affect your ability to
be on time. These factors sometimes happen to lecturers too. If you are late, please wait until the
break before entering the room. Entering during the session is very disturbing to the other students. In
addition, the same rules apply for leaving the lecture hall while class is in session. Please wait for the
break if you need to leave the lecture hall.
Only students who are enrolled in the course may attend. The lecturers may consider making an
exception, but we must be consulted in advance.
Participation and conduct
You need to participate actively and constructively in class. This means that you must read the
material in advance and contribute thoughtful questions in class.
Students are expected to conduct themselves appropriately at all times. Students are expected to read
and inform themselves of the rules and regulations of the International Bachelor of Law Program and
The Hague University of Applied Sciences We expect that students often will disagree with each other,
and with the lecturer, and we encourage that. We will encourage an atmosphere in which we are free
to challenge and criticize each other's arguments, but we must be respectful and civil in our
disagreements.
In addition, you are expected to maintain a general silence during class lectures, unless you are called
on to intervene with a question. If you have a questions, please intervene! Similarly, making or taking
phone calls or text messages is also inappropriate behavior during the class. Phones must be turned
off! Food is not permitted during the lectures because it is very disturbing to the other students.
Laptops are permitted for taking notes, but not for any other purpose such as checking email or
watching movies. Recording, filming or taking pictures of the lecture requires the permission of the
lecturer in advance.
Special issues

International Bachelor of Law

Course Description

2014
Contract Law YEAR 1

Students with learning disabilities or any other factors that may affect their academic success should
bring this matter to the attention of their tutor as soon as possible. Students are sometimes reluctant to
do so because they are embarrassed or shy. The Hague University has an obligation to provide you
with reasonable accommodation, so you should take advantage of any options you have.
Please note that exceptions to many rules can be made where there is a medical necessity. It is most
helpful to the lecturers that you inform us in advance of your medical needs (with documentation)
rather than risk the embarrassment of having the issue become a problem in class in front of your
colleagues.
Enrollment and registration in graded deliverables and exams
In addition to enrolling in the course, you must enroll/register yourself in each and every graded course
deliverable or exam, e.g. the final exam and the assignment, in the Osiris database. We will not
register you manually after the fact. If you fail to do so, then you will not receive a grade, and thus you
will not receive credit. Exceptional circumstances may be excused, but the burden will be on you to
appeal such circumstances before the exam board.
Grading
You can find the general course rules, including grading regulations, in the applicable course
descriptions. Please ask any questions about them.
Letters of recommendation
We are happy to write letters of recommendation. These could be letters for an internship, scholarship,
summer program and any number of other projects to pursue your academic and career goals.
However, we ask that you request the letter from us as far in advance as possible, and at least two (2)
weeks in advance. We are not able to write letters during holidays or after the end of the academic
year. We also cannot write letters during exams periods or during the last two weeks of the academic
year. Please also note that there are sometimes limitations on how many students a tutor can
nominate for certain honors, awards, or positions, so it is even more important to approach me early.
We are also happy to serve as a reference on, e.g. a job application or CV. You must ask us before
you list us and you must inform us in advance any time you submit one or both of our names as a
reference to anyone. If we receive a request for reference from a potential employer and we were not
consulted and advised in advance, we will not be prepared to speak about you and we may have to
refuse on that basis.
One very important requirement is that letters of recommendation are sometimes issued in sealed
envelopes with a signature across the seal. Do not open these letters! If you need more than one
copy, please let us know and we will print more than one. The letters are sealed to protect the
confidence in which we write the letters. Any student that breaks an envelope sealed by us without our
consent will not receive any letters in the future.
Lecturers take their reputations very seriously. When we write a letter for a student or serve as a
reference, we are placing our reputation on the line. Any student that alters letters, uses our name as a
reference without permission, or otherwise acts to use any of our reputations inappropriately will be
reported for academic misconduct.