Implied Conditions and Warranties

Express conditions and warranties are which, are expressly provided in the contract. Implied conditions and warranties are those which are implied by law or custom; these shall prevail in a contract of sale unless the parties agree to the contrary.

1. Condition as to title

In every contract of sale, unless the circumstances of the contract are such as to show a different intention, there is an implied condition on the part of the seller, that:-

• In case of a sale, he has a right to sell the goods, and
• In case of an agreement to sell, he will have a right to sell the goods at the time when the property is to pass.

The words ‘right to sell’ contemplate not only that the seller has the title to what he purports to sell, but also that the seller has the right to pass the property. If the seller’s title turns out to be defective, the buyer may reject the goods.

2. Condition as to Description

In a contract of sale by description, there is an implied condition that the goods shall correspond with the description. The term ‘ sale by description’ includes the following situation:-

• Where the buyer has not seen the goods and buys them relying on the description given by the seller.
• Where the buyer has seen the goods but he relies not on what he has seen but what was stated to him and the deviation of the goods from the description is not apparent.
• Packing of goods may sometimes be a part of the description. Where the goods do not conform to be method of packing described (by the buyer or the seller) in the contract, the buyer can reject the goods.

3. Condition as to Quality or Fitness

Where the buyer, expressly or by implication, makes known the seller the particular purpose for which goods are required, so as to show that the buyer relies on the seller’s skill or judgment and the goods are of a description which it is in the course of the seller’s business to supply (whether or not as the manufacturer of producer), there is an implied condition that the goods shall be reasonably fit for such purpose. In other words, this condition of fitness shall apply, if:

• The buyer makes known to the seller the particular purpose for which the goods are required,
• The buyer relies on the seller’s skill or judgment,
• The goods are of a description which he sellers ordinarily supplies in the course of his business, and
• The goods supplied are not reasonably fit for the buyer’s purpose.

4. Condition as to Merchantability

Where the goods are bought by description from a seller, who deals in goods of that description (whether or not as the manufacturer or producer) there is an implied condition that the goods shall be of merchantable quality.

Merchantable quality ordinarily means that the goods should be such as would be commercially saleable under the description by which they are known in the market at their full value.

5. Condition as to Wholesomeness

In case of sale of eatable provisions and foodstuff, there is another implied condition that the goods shall be wholesome. Thus, the provisions or foodstuff must not only correspond to their description, but must also be merchantable and wholesome. By ‘wholesomeness’ it means that goods must be for human consumption.

6. Condition Implied by Custom or Trade Usage

An implied warranty or condition as to quality or fitness for a particular purpose may be annexed by the usage of trade. In certain sale contracts, the purpose for which the goods are purchased may be implied from the conduct of the parties or from the nature or description of the goods. In such cases, the parties enter into the contract with reference to those known usage. For instance, if a person buys a perambulator or a medicine the purpose for which it is purchased is implied from the thing itself; the buyer need not disclose the purpose to the seller.

7. Conditions in a Sale by Sample

A contract of sale is a contract for sale by sample where there is a term in the contract, express or implied to that effect. Usually, a sale by sample is implied when a sample is shown and the parties intend that the goods should be of he kind and quality as the sample is.

8. Conditions in a sale by Sample as well as by Description

A vast majority of cases where samples are shown, are sales by sample as well as by description. In a contract for sale by sample as well as by description, the goods supplied must correspond both with the sample as well as with the description.

Implied Warranties

A condition becomes a warranty when:

(i) the buyer waives the conditions or opts to treat the breach of the condition as a breach of warranty.

(ii) The buyer accepts the goods or a part thereof, or is not in a position to reject the goods.

• Implied Warranty of Quiet Possession: In every contract of sale, unless there is a contrary intention, there is implied warranties that the buyer’s shall have and enjoy quiet possession of the goods. If the buyer’s right to possession and enjoyment of the goods is in any way disturbed as consequences of the seller’s defective title, the buyer may sue the seller for damages for breach of this warranty.
• Implied Warranty of Freedom from Encumbrances: The buyer is entitled to a further warranty that the goods shall be free from any charge or encumbrance in favor of any third party not declared or known to buyer before or at the time when the contract is made. If the buyer is required to discharge the amount of the encumbrance it shall be a breach of this warranty and the buyer shall be entitled to damages for the same.