Facts: In that case, T and M had both made the money available for the purchase of a house. However, it was included in T`s name alone, in order to facilitate the exercise of false rights to social security benefits. When the parties broke down, M claimed a portion of the property on the basis of a resulting trust. For T, it was argued that M had failed because the original agreement to promote an illegal purpose had been reached. The judge and the Court of Appeal ruled in favour of Mr. This is an agreement in which either party or a third party receives some money in return for the marriage. Such agreements, which oppose public order, have no effect. (1) What could the seller of Mahmoud and Ispahani do to avoid an unenforceable contract? What are the practical implications of these two decisions? Is it satisfactory that the parties entering into a contract must take into account the policy that is at the origin of any legislation that may govern their transaction? The reference to Lord Mansfield`s ex turpi causa describes the level of illegality that must be respected in order for a right to unlawful public order to be maintained. An agreement is not considered legal if it is contrary to public policy. The doctrine of public order is based on the maxim “ex turpi causa non oritur actio,” meaning that an agreement against public order would have no effect. The term “public policy” does not have a comprehensive definition of its fluctuating nature and is highly uncertain.
The interpretation of public order is left to the discretion of the Tribunal. Contractual terms cannot be enforced even if they have been agreed by both parties, if they are contrary to public policy. There are at least 3 possible results of illegal agreements. Contracts that violate professional rules (for example. B rules of practice regarding solicitor practices). These are not applicable, but a party can claim a job actually done. An example of this approach can be found in Re Mahmoud and Ispahani.30 The contract was the sale of flaxseed oil. The law required that the seller and buyer be licensed.31 The seller was fired, but not the buyer. However, the buyer informed the seller that he was licensed. When the buyer refused to take the delivery, the seller filed a complaint.
It was found that the seller was unable to enforce the contract because of its illegality, despite his well-founded belief that the defendant was authorized.32 The directive underlying the regulation was to prevent the trade in flaxseed oil except between licensed persons and the seller`s innocence was not relevant to that policy. A contract to commit an intentional offence, such as Z.B. Bodily harm or fraud, is illegal in the same way as a contract to commit a crime.18 On the other hand, it would appear that a contract involving the involuntary commission of an unlawful act is not illegal.19 For example, where there is a contract for the sale of property belonging to a third party. , but whether the buyer and seller believe they belong to the seller, this will involve the unlawful act of transformation, but the contract itself will not be illegal.20 If only one party is innocent, it is possible that that party may enforce the contract, although the position is uncertain.21 There are diktats in Clay v Yates22 that can be read to indicate that this is the case. But this was not directly this point and was not specifically addressed.23 Treaties involving a violation of human rights.