How To Prove A Tennessee Breach of Contract Claim
In Tennessee, a claim of Breach of Contract is defined as:
Violation of a contractual obligation by failing to perform one’s own promise, by repudiating it, or by interfering with another party’s performance.
It simply means:
When one party fails to uphold their end of a contract.
There are 7 elements of the claim:
- Element 1. A contract existed. A contract existed means that there was a clear agreement between two or more parties, outlining their rights and responsibilities, which both sides accepted, making it legally binding.
Facts that might support this element look like:
* The parties involved exchanged signed documents that outlined the terms and conditions of the agreement.
* Both parties provided consideration, with one party delivering goods and the other providing payment in return.
* The parties engaged in discussions and negotiations that culminated in a mutual understanding of their obligations.
* The contract included specific terms regarding performance deadlines and payment schedules, which were agreed upon by both parties.
* The parties acted in accordance with the contract, demonstrating their intent to be bound by its terms. - Element 2. The defendant had knowledge of the existence of the contract. The defendant knew that a contract existed between them and the other party, which means they were aware of the agreement’s terms and obligations before allegedly failing to meet those responsibilities.
Facts that might support this element look like:
* The defendant received a copy of the contract via email and acknowledged its receipt in writing.
* The defendant participated in multiple meetings where the terms of the contract were discussed in detail.
* The defendant made payments as outlined in the contract, indicating awareness of its obligations.
* The defendant’s representative signed the contract, demonstrating their acceptance and knowledge of its existence.
* The defendant referred to the contract in correspondence with the plaintiff, showing familiarity with its terms. - Element 3. The defendant intended to bring about or cause the breach of the contract. The defendant purposely tried to make sure the other party didn’t follow the contract, showing they meant to cause the problem that led to the breach.
Facts that might support this element look like:
* The defendant knowingly provided false information to the plaintiff about their ability to fulfill the contract terms.
* The defendant actively encouraged third parties to interfere with the plaintiff’s performance under the contract.
* The defendant expressed a desire to see the contract fail during conversations with mutual acquaintances.
* The defendant took deliberate actions that made it impossible for the plaintiff to meet their contractual obligations.
* The defendant was aware of the contract’s existence and its importance to the plaintiff but chose to act in a way that would undermine it. - Element 4. The defendant acted maliciously. In a breach of contract case, showing that the defendant acted maliciously means proving they intentionally tried to harm the other party or disregarded their rights, rather than just making a mistake or being careless.
Facts that might support this element look like:
* The defendant intentionally delayed the delivery of goods, knowing it would cause significant financial harm to the plaintiff.
* The defendant made false statements about the quality of the product to induce the plaintiff into the contract.
* The defendant repeatedly ignored the plaintiff’s requests for resolution, demonstrating a willful disregard for the contractual obligations.
* The defendant engaged in a pattern of behavior aimed at undermining the plaintiff’s business interests, despite being aware of the contract terms.
* The defendant’s actions were motivated by a desire to harm the plaintiff rather than any legitimate business interest. - Element 5. The contract was breached. A breach of contract occurs when one party fails to fulfill their agreed-upon obligations, meaning they didn’t do what they promised in the contract, which can lead to legal action by the other party seeking compensation or enforcement of the agreement.
Facts that might support this element look like:
* The defendant failed to deliver the goods as specified in the contract by the agreed-upon deadline.
* The plaintiff made multiple requests for performance, but the defendant did not respond or take action to fulfill the contract.
* The defendant provided a product that did not meet the quality standards outlined in the contract.
* The plaintiff incurred additional costs due to the defendant’s failure to perform as promised in the contract.
* The defendant unilaterally modified the terms of the contract without the plaintiff’s consent, leading to a breach. - Element 6. The defendant’s actions caused the breach. The defendant’s actions directly led to the failure to meet the terms of the contract, meaning their behavior was the reason why the agreement was not fulfilled as promised.
Facts that might support this element look like:
* The defendant failed to deliver the contracted goods by the agreed-upon deadline, directly impacting the plaintiff’s ability to fulfill their obligations.
* The defendant provided defective materials that did not meet the specifications outlined in the contract, resulting in a delay in the project timeline.
* The defendant unilaterally changed the terms of the agreement without the plaintiff’s consent, leading to a breach of contract.
* The defendant’s refusal to communicate regarding the status of the project caused confusion and hindered the plaintiff’s ability to perform.
* The defendant’s actions in withholding necessary information prevented the plaintiff from executing their responsibilities under the contract. - Element 7. The plaintiff suffered damages as a result of the breach. The plaintiff experienced losses or harm because the other party did not fulfill their part of the contract, meaning they were negatively affected by the failure to meet the agreed terms.
Facts that might support this element look like:
* The plaintiff incurred financial losses totaling $10,000 due to the defendant’s failure to deliver goods as specified in the contract.
* The plaintiff was forced to hire a third-party vendor at a premium price to fulfill the contract obligations after the defendant’s breach.
* The plaintiff experienced a significant delay in project completion, resulting in lost business opportunities and revenue.
* The plaintiff had to pay additional costs for materials that were originally included in the breached contract.
* The breach of contract led to reputational damage for the plaintiff, causing a decline in customer trust and future sales.
(See Tennessee Pattern Jury Instructions Civil 13.14.)
If you’re representing yourself in court and plan to assert a Claim of Breach of Contract, having a Personal Practice of Law at Courtroom5 is essential. You’ll need to make informed decisions about what to file at each phase of your case and prepare legal documents that are supported by thorough legal research and a strong analysis of the facts. Equip yourself with the tools and knowledge necessary to effectively navigate your legal journey.
Prove Your TN Breach of Contract Claim
U.S. Civil Cases Only