Len Was Behind in His Work at the Office

question 55

Multiple Choice

Len was behind in his work at the office. He decided to go in for a few hours on Sunday to catch up. He asked an assistant to come in for four hours. He turned on his office TV. Just then his assistant came in and asked him to sign four letters that she said concerned general office matters. He carelessly signed them without taking his eyes off the TV screen. One of the "letters" was, in fact, a cheque for $500 payable to the assistant. The assistant cashed the cheque at her bank, and when her bank presented the cheque for payment, Len instructed his bank not to honour it. He said that he had been tricked and that his signing it was all a big mistake. On these facts, which of the following is true?

• A) Because Len did not know what he was signing, he cannot be held liable.
• B) Len's carelessness in failing to read what he was signing will likely defeat any claim of non est factum.
• C) Len could avoid his obligation on the cheque on the basis of duress.
• D) Len could avoid his obligation on the cheque on the basis of unconscionability.
• E) Undue influence would be his best defence on these facts.

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Definitions:

Positive Reference Group

A group that individuals aspire to or identify with, often influencing their attitudes, behaviors, and perceptions of self.

Membership Group

Kelley’s term for a group to which we belong by some objective external criterion.

Developing Norms

Rules or standards of behavior that are evolving or being established within a group or society.

Immediate Family

Consists of one's closest relatives, such as parents, siblings, and children, often considered the first social unit an individual belongs to.