2022 Contract Law Question 4 — LawShortcut Independent Model Answer
Luke buys what he believes is his family's 1850 heirloom engagement ring from a vintage dealer, and collects a different ring that turns out to be a 1950 reproduction. The question turns on why the wrong-ring problem is cross-purposes rather than common mistake, and on the routes — sale by description and misrepresentation — that survive once common mistake as to age is ruled out.
Scenario summary
Luke read an article about Jennifer, who runs a vintage jewellery store, setting out the back stories of items she had for sale. One stopped him: an 1850 engagement ring that had been a family heirloom, handed down in Luke’s family until his grandmother sold it out of economic necessity over 60 years ago.
Wanting it back in the family, Luke telephoned Jennifer to buy it. She began describing the antique 1850 ring; he cut her short, saying he had read it all in the article and simply wanted to buy it. He then transferred the money to her account.
On collection, Luke found the ring he had bought was not the one he meant, but another ring that had also featured in the article. On investigation it proved to be a reproduction made in 1950 of an 1850 design. Jennifer did not know this, and maintained that the ring’s age had no bearing on the contract.
Candidates are asked to advise Luke as to his legal position under the law of contract.
This is a LawShortcut scenario summary written in our own words. For the exact examined wording, use the official King’s Inns paper linked above.
What this model answer covers
Issues and structure addressed in the full LawShortcut model answer:
- Issue 1 — Which ring? Mistake as to the identity of the subject-matter
- Issue 2 — The 1950 reproduction: why common mistake does not void the sale
- Issue 3 — Sale by description and misrepresentation
- Issue 4 — Remedies: getting the money back
- Overall advice to Luke
- Where the 25 marks live — 11 the wrong ring, 4 common mistake as to age, 6 description and misrepresentation, 4 remedies and advice
- Common ways to lose marks
- Authorities relied on
- The reusable answer structure
Read the complete LawShortcut model answer to this question — reading the question, issue spotting, the applicable law, application to the facts and conclusions — inside the King’s Inns Contract Law Model Answer Vault.
Part of the King’s Inns Contract Law Model Answer Vault — 30 independently authored model answers, 2020—2025.
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