Seaver v. C. W. Blakeslee & Sons, Inc., 88 Conn. 513, 91 A. 1056 (1920)
Seaver v. C.
Is a contract void for lack of consideration if the promised performance constitutes merely fulfilling a pre-existing duty?
For a contract to be enforceable, it must be supported by consideration, meaning a legally sufficient value in terms of a bargained-for exchange between the parties. mere performance of a pre-existing duty does not constitute adequate consideration.
The court held that the contract between Seaver and C. W. Blakeslee & Sons, Inc. was void for lack of consideration since the plaintiff had only promised to perform obligations he was already bound to fulfill under a prior agreement. The contract lacked any new or additional consideration.
Seaver v. C. W. Blakeslee is significant as it underscores the principle that a mere pre-existing duty cannot serve as consideration for a new promise. The case is a critical component of contract law education, helping students comprehend the essential elements of consideration and its role in validating contractual promises. It also provides a clear example of the limitations of contract enforcement when consideration is absent, making it a vital case study for understanding how courts evaluate contractual intent and obligation.