How are damages for misrepresentation calculated?

Asked by: Nicholaus Pfannerstill  |  Last update: August 3, 2022
Score: 4.8/5 (11 votes)

The Court of Appeal held that, as a general principle, the proper approach for calculating damages for fraudulent misrepresentation should be to (1) ascertain the actual value of the assets bought at the relevant date and (2) deduct that figure from the price paid.

Can damages be awarded for misrepresentation?

Overview. Under contract law, a plaintiff can recover compensatory damages against a defendant when a court finds that the defendant has committed fraudulent misrepresentation. Courts will typically find that a defendant has committed fraudulent misrepresentation when six factors have been met: a representation was ...

What are the 3 types of misrepresentation?

There are three types of misrepresentations—innocent misrepresentation, negligent misrepresentation, and fraudulent misrepresentation—all of which have varying remedies.

What are the 3 elements for a misrepresentation to be voidable?

(1) The defendant made a false representation of a past or existing material fact susceptible of knowledge. (2) The defendant did so knowing the representation was false, or without knowing whether it was true or false. (3) The defendant intended to induce the plaintiff to act in reliance on that representation.

What are the 3 criteria for a statement to be treated as a misrepresentation?

For a misrepresentation to be actionable, it has to fulfil three requirements: - there must be an untrue statement; - it must be a statement of fact, not mere opinion; - and it must have induced the innocent party to enter the contract.

contract: misrepresentation and damages therefore

22 related questions found

How do you calculate misrepresentation?

In order for a representation to become a misrepresentation, it must be first proven that it was an unambiguous, false statement of fact. In order to prove this misrepresentation is actionable, it must be shown that this representation induced the claimant to enter the contract.

When can misrepresentation give rise to a claim for damages?

The remedies available for misrepresentation depend on whether the misrepresentation was fraudulent, negligent or innocent. If a misrepresentation is fraudulent or negligent, the claimant may claim both rescission and damages under s2(1) of the Misrepresentation Act 1967 (the Act).

What damages are available for negligent misrepresentation?

The remedies for misrepresentation are rescission and/or damages. For fraudulent and negligent misrepresentation, the claimant may claim rescission and damages.

What are the consequences of misrepresentation?

If the misrepresentation is identified, the contract can be declared void and depending on the situation, the unfavourably impacted party may seek damages. In such a contract dispute, the party who made the misrepresentation becomes the defendant and the aggrieved party is the plaintiff.

Can you claim damages for innocent misrepresentation?

For fraudulent and negligent misrepresentation, the claimant may claim rescission and damages. For innocent misrepresentation, the court has a discretion to award damages in lieu of rescission; the court cannot award both (see section 2(2) of the Misrepresentation Act 1967).

Can you sue for misrepresentation?

A claim for misrepresentation arises where one party to a contract (the representor) made an untrue statement of fact that induced the other (the representee) to enter into the contract. Claims for misrepresentation are governed by both the common law and the Misrepresentation Act 1967 (MA 1967).

What are the 4 elements of misrepresentation?

Misrepresentation—what statements will establish a claim?
  • the statement relied on by the representee was a statement of fact made to them by or on behalf of the representor.
  • the statement was intended by the representor to induce the representee to enter into the contract.

What is the most serious type of misrepresentation?

Fraudulent Misrepresentation

This is the most serious type of misrepresentation in the business world. This is when a party knowingly makes false statements in order to coerce the other party to sign a contract.

How does a plaintiff prove negligent misrepresentation?

the representor must have acted negligently in making the misrepresentation; the representee must have relied, in a reasonable manner, on the misrepresentation; and. the reliance must have been detrimental to the representee in the sense that damages resulted.

What remedies are available for misrepresentation?

Depending on the nature of the case, remedies for fraudulent misrepresentation can include rescission of the contract and damages. Rescission of the contract is the most common remedy, since fraudulent misrepresentation renders it voidable (as opposed to simply "void").

What is an example of negligent misrepresentation?

Negligent misrepresentation occurs when someone makes a statement without regard to the true facts. For instance, if you tell a person that a stereo system is brand new when it is four-years-old and has been used heavily, then this can be considered negligent misrepresentation.

Who has the burden of proof in misrepresentation?

The burden of proving that there was in fact fraudulent misrepresentation made, lies upon the person who asserts the existence of such facts. Therefore, the burden of proving the existence of fraudulent misrepresentation would initially lie upon the plaintiff/claimant.

What are the 5 elements of misrepresentation?

  • The misrepresentation must be of material facts: ...
  • The misrepresentation must be false, but the person making it honestly believes it to be true: ...
  • The misrepresentations must induce the other party to enter into contract: ...
  • The misrepresentation must have been addressed by one party to the party misled:

How do you prove negligent misrepresentation?

A negligent misrepresentation occurs where Party A makes a misrepresentation to Party B either: In a careless manner; or. Without reasonable grounds to believe that the statement is true.
...
You must show that the misrepresentation in question was made by Party A either:
  1. Knowingly;
  2. Without belief in its truth; or.

What must be proven in order to have a contract set aside for misrepresentation?

A misrepresentation occurs when:
  1. an untrue statement of fact or law is made by one party (A) to another party (B);
  2. that untrue statement induces B to enter into a contract; and.
  3. B suffers loss as a result.

What is the difference between misleading and misrepresentation?

In addition to the prohibition against misleading or deceptive conduct, it is unlawful for a business to make false or misleading claims about goods or services. A misrepresentation is a claim or statement that is false or misleading made by one party to another.

What are some examples of misrepresentation?

Expressly making a misleading statement that a party knows is untruthful is a misrepresentation if it leads the other party to agree to a contract. Assume, for example, that a car salesperson in a private transaction misrepresents the car's number of miles.

What is classed as false under misrepresentation?

A misrepresentation is a false statement of fact or law which induces the representee to enter a contract. Where a statement made during the course of negotiations is classed as a representation rather than a term an action for misrepresentation may be available where the statement turns out to be untrue.

What constitutes an actionable misrepresentation?

In English law, an Actionable Misrepresentation is a false statement of fact made during pre-contractual negations made by one party which induces the other party to enter into a contract.

What is the tort of negligent misrepresentation?

Negligent misrepresentation: a representation made carelessly and in breach of duty owed by Party A to Party B to take reasonable care that the representation is accurate.