Indian Contract Act, 1872 – Indemnity and Guarantee – CA Inter Law Notes

Indian Contract Act, 1872 – Indemnity and Guarantee – CA Inter Law Notes is designed strictly as per the latest syllabus and exam pattern.

Indian Contract Act, 1872 – Indemnity and Guarantee – CA Inter Law Notes

Contract Of Indemnity – Basic & Definition – Section 124

Meaning:
Contract of indemnity is contract where one party promises to save the other party from loss caused to him by:

  • His conduct; or
  • Conduct of any person

Parties
Indemnifier: The person who promises to make good the loss is called the indemnifier (Promisor)
Indemnity holder: The person whose loss is to be made good is called the indemnified or indemnity-holder (Promisee).

Indian Contract Act, 1872 - Indemnity and Guarantee – CA Inter Law Notes

Example:

  • Mr. A contracts to indemnify Mr. B against the consequences of any proceedings, which Mr. C may take against Mr. B in respect of a certain sum of ₹ 200. This is a contract of indemnity.
  • Mr. A is indemnifier or promisor while Mr. B is indemnity holder or promisee.

Essential Elements of Contract of Indemnity

Following are the essential elements of indemnity contract:

Contract:

  • Contract of indemnity is special contract. All the general principles of contract are equally applicable to it.
  • All the essentials of a valid contract must be present in the contract of indemnity.
  • Contract of indemnity is possible by express or implied manner.
  • It is class of contingent contract.

Loss to One Party:
A person can indemnify another person, if such other person:

  • incurs some loss; or
  • is about to incur some loss (i.e., loss of person becomes certain)

Indemnity by the Promisor:
The purpose of contract of indemnity is to protect the indemnity holder from any loss that may be caused to the indemnity holder in future (i.e., such loss has not already been caused to the indemnity holder)

Reason for Loss:
The contract of indemnity may specify that indemnity holder shall be protected from the loss caused due to:

  • action of the promisor; or
  • action of any other person; or
  • any act, event or accident which is not in the control of parties.

Rights of Indemnity Holder – Section 125

The indemnity holder has right to recover the following from the indemnifier by way of compensation:

Right to Recover Damages:
The indemnity holder is entitled to recover from the indemnifier all the damages, which he is compelled to pay in any suit in respect of any matter covered by the contract of indemnity.

Right to Recover Costs:
The indemnity holder is entitled to recover from the indemnifier all the costs, which he is compelled to pay, in bringing or defending such suit.
Indemnity holder must act within scope of his authority and while bringing or defending suit he must act as prudent person.

Right to Recover Sums Paid in Compromise:

  • The indemnity holder is entitled to recover from the indemnifier the entire amount, which he has paid under the terms of a compromise of the suit.
  • However, he must act within scope of his authority. While compromise, he must act like prudent man.

Commencement of Indemnifier’s Liability: If the indemnity holder had incurred an absolute liability, he becomes entitled to call upon the indemnifier to protect.

Important Note: There is no provision in the Indian Contract Act, 1872 about indemnifier’s rights. However, it can be said that indemnifier’s rights are same as those of surety.

Indian Contract Act, 1872 - Indemnity and Guarantee – CA Inter Law Notes

Contract Of Guarantee – Section 126

What is Contract of Guarantee?
A contract of guarantee’ is a contract to perform the promise or discharge the liability of a third person in case of his default.

Parties:
Surety: Person who gives the guarantee is called the ‘surety’.
Principal debtor: Person in respect of whose loan the guarantee is given is called the ‘principal debtor’.
Creditor: Person to whom the guarantee is given is called the ‘creditor’.

Example:

  • Sagar requests Chetan to lend ₹ 500 to Paresh and guarantees that if Paresh fails to pay the amount, he will pay.
  • This is a contract of guarantee.
  • Sagar, in this case, is the surety, Chetan, the creditor and Paresh, the principal debtor.

Essential Elements of Contract of Guarantee or Legal Rules For Valid Contract of Guarantee – Sections 126-127

The essential elements of contract of guarantee are discussed as under:

Tripartite Agreement:
A contract of guarantee is a tripartite agreement, which includes the principal debtor, the creditor, and the surety.

There are three contracts as under:

  • As between creditor and principal debtor, there is a contract out of which the guaranteed debt arises.
  • As between surety and creditor, there is a contract by which surety guarantees to pay to creditor, principal debtor’s debt in case of his debtor’s default.
  • As between surety and principal debtor, there is a contract that debtor shall indemnify Surety in case Surety pays in the event of a default by Principal debtor.

Essentials of a Valid Contract:
A contract of guarantee must have all the essential elements of a valid contract like free consent, capacity of parties, lawful object and consideration.

But the following two points should be noted:

  • All the parties must be capable of entering into a valid contract, though the principal debtor may be a person suffering from incapacity to contract. In such a case, the surety is regarded as the principal debtor and is liable to pay personally even though the principal debtor (e.g., a minor) is not liable to pay.
  • Consideration received by the principal debtor is sufficient for the surety, and it is not necessary that it must necessarily result in some benefit to the surety himself. It is sufficient if something is done or some promise is made for the benefit of the principal debtor.

Consideration – Section 127:

  • Contract of guarantee must be supported by consideration.
  • However, it is not necessary that there should be direct consideration between surety and creditor.

Consent of All Parties:
There must be consent of all the three parties.

Primary liability – Principal Debtor:

  • The Principal debtor is primarily liable to pay debt.
  • Debt should:
    • Be enforceable by law
    • Not be a time barred debt.

Conditional Liability:

  • The liability of surety is secondary and conditional.
  • It means surety is liable to pay if the principal debtor makes a default in payment.

No Misrepresentation or Concealment – Section 142:
The creditor should disclose all facts that are likely to affect the surety’s liability. If there is misrepresentation or concealment of facts, guarantee will be invalid.

Indian Contract Act, 1872 - Indemnity and Guarantee – CA Inter Law Notes

Example:
If a clerk in an office occasionally fails to account for some of the receipts for money collected, he may be asked for surety. In case the person who steps up to be a surety for the clerk in the office is not informed of the occasional lapses on part of the clerk which lead to the requirement of a surety, any guarantee given by him is invalid as something of importance and directly affecting his decision to act as a surety was concealed from him.

Joining by Other Co-sureties:
The guarantee by surety is not valid if he imposes condition that some other person must also join as a co-surety and such other person does not join as a co-surety.

Oral or Writing:

  • A contract of guarantee may be either oral or written.
  • It may be express or implied.
  • Implied guarantee may be inferred from the conduct of the parties concerned.

Types of Guarantee

Guarantee can be classified as under:
Retrospective Guarantee: A guarantee given for an existing debt or obligation is called ‘retrospective guarantee’.

Prospective:
Guarantee: A guarantee given for a future debt or obligation is called prospective guarantee.

Specific Guarantee:

  • When guarantee extends to a single transaction or debt it is called a specific.
  • Specific guarantee is also known as simple guarantee.
  • On the completion of specific transaction, guarantee is discharge.

Continuing Guarantee – Section 129:

  • When guarantee extends to a series of transactions, it is called a continuing guarantee.
  • Continue guarantee does not come to end on the performance of single transaction or discharge of debt but it will be enforceable even for subsequent transactions also.
  • At the time of giving continuing guarantee, surety can fix either amount or time.

Example:
A, in consideration that B will employ C in collection the rents of B’s Zamindari, promises B to be responsible, to the amount of ₹ 5,000 for the due collection and payment by C of those rents. This is a continuing guarantee.

Important Note:

  • A guarantee for the faithful discharge of his duties by a person appointed to a place of trust in a bank is not a continuing guarantee. It is a guarantee of appointment.
  • A guarantee for payment of a certain sum by instalments within a definite time is not a continuing guarantee. It is a guarantee of loan.

Revocation of Continuing Guarantee – Sections 130-131

A continuing guarantee can be cancelled in following manner:

By Notice- Section 130: Surety may cancel the continuing guarantee for future transaction at any time.

Example:
A stood surety for B for any amount, which C may lend to B from time to time in the next 24 months up to a maximum of ₹ 20,000. Afterwards at the end of three months, A gave a notice to C revoking his guarantee, when C had lent to B ₹ 10,000. This revocation discharges A from any liability to C for any subsequent loans.

Indian Contract Act, 1872 - Indemnity and Guarantee – CA Inter Law Notes

By Death of surety – Section 131:

  • Continuing guarantee is cancelled on death of surety.
  • In such case, no notice is required to be given to creditor.
  • However, the contract may provide contrary to the above rule.
  • On death of surety, guarantee is cancelled but for future transaction.
  • For past transaction, which has already taken place, surety’s estate will be liable.

On Discharge of surety: Continuing guarantee is revoked when surety is discharged from liability.

Important Note:
Effect of revocation of continuing guarantee

  • On the revocation of continuing guarantee, surety’s liability comes to end for future transactions.
  • However, surety is liable for previous transactions.

Nature And Extent Of Surety’s Liability – Section 128

The nature and extend of surety’s liability may be discussed as under:

Secondary and Conditional Liability:

  • The surety is liable to the creditor only when the principal debtor makes default.
  • Creditor can sue the surety without suing the principal debtor.
  • As soon as the debtor has made default in payment of debt, the surety is immediately liable.
  • But until default, the creditor cannot call upon surety to pay. In this way, the nature of surety’s liability is secondary.
  • If the principal debtor performs the contract in part, the surety shall be liable only in respect of that part of the contract, which has not been performed by the principal.

Liability is Co-extensive:

  • The liability of the surety is co-extensive with that of the principal debtor.
  • It means surety is liable for all the debts payable by the principal debtor to the creditor.
  • Whatever amount of money (ie. interest, damages, costs) creditor can realize from principal debtor, the same amount can be recovered from surety. However, the contract of guarantee may provide otherwise, ie., the surety has a right to limit his liability.

Example:
Amar guarantees to Balram the payment of a bill of exchange by Chetan, the acceptor. Chetan dishonours the bill. Amar is liable not only for the amount of the bills but also for any interest and charges, which may have become due on it.

  • The principal debtor and surety are jointly and severally liable.
  • If the principal debtor is not liable on the principal debt, the surety also shall not be liable.
  • If the principal debt is illegal or is unenforceable, the principal debtor as well as surety shall not be liable.
  • If the principal debtor is discharged by creditor’s breach, the surety shall also be discharged.

Surety’s Liability may be Limited:

  • Generally, the liability of the surety is same as that of the principal debtor.
  • However, the surety may limit his liability by express provision in the contract of guarantee.

Thus, the contract of guarantee may provide that the surety shall not be liable:

  • Beyond a fixed amount (where guarantee is fixed on amount)
  • For any amount due after a fixed date (where guarantee is given with reference to time period may be fixed during which the guarantee shall remain effective)

Rights of Surety

Rights of surety can be discussed as under:

  • Rights of surety against principal debtor
  • Rights of surety against creditor
  • Rights of surety against co-sureties.

Rights of surety against principal debtor – Sections 140 & 145:

Right of Subrogation – Section 140:

  • Subrogation means substitution of one person for another. Right of subrogation is also known as right to stand in the shoes of creditor.
  • According to this right, when the surety has paid debt or discharge the performance of debtor to creditor, he is vested with all the rights, which the creditor had against the principal debtor.
  • The surety is entitled to the benefit of all security made available to the creditor by the principal debtor whether the surety was aware of its existence or not.

Indian Contract Act, 1872 - Indemnity and Guarantee – CA Inter Law Notes

Right of Indemnify – Section 145:

  • The surety is entitled to recover from the principal debtor all sums he has rightfully paid.
  • Amount includes loan, interest and other cost if any paid to creditor.
  • Surety can also claim for any special damages, which he has suffered while discharging his duties.
  • Where person becomes surety without the knowledge of principal debtor, he is entitled for all the rights against the principal debtor but not the right to claim an indemnity against the principal debtor.
  • However, amount wrongfully paid cannot be recovered.

Rights of surety against creditor:
Right to Claim Securities – Section 141:

  • Surety is entitled for all securities, which the debtor has provided to creditor whether surety is aware of it or not on payment of debt or discharge of payment to creditor.
  • Where a creditor loses any of the securities by default or negligence the liability of the surety reduces proportionately.
  • If a creditor does not handover the securities to surety, he can be compelled to do so.

Example:
C advances to B his tenant ₹ 2,000 on the guarantee of A. C has also a further security for the 2,000 rupees by a mortgage of B’s furniture. C cancels the mortgage. B becomes insolvent, and C sues A on his guarantee. A is discharged from liability to the amount of the value of the furniture.

Right to Set off:

  • Set off means deductions from the amount of loan.
  • If there is any sum of money, which is recoverable from creditor, then it may be claimed as deduction.

Rights of surety against co-sureties:

  • When two or more persons give guarantee for same debt, they are termed as co-sureties.
  • All co-sureties are equally liable to creditor in absence of any contrary contract.
  • The rights of co-sureties are discussed as under:

Right to Contribution – Sections 146-147:

  • When one co-surety pays entire debt, he can recover equal contribution from the other co-sureties.
  • However, under the contract, they may fix limits on their respective liabilities.

Example:
A, B and C are sureties to D for the sum of ₹ 3,000 lent to E. E makes default in payment. A, B and C are liable, as between themselves, to pay ₹ 1,000 each.

Example:
Amar has borrowed ₹ 1000 from bank. Mr. Ram and Balram have guaranteed for repayment of loan in ratio of 3:1. On default of Amar, Ram is liable to pay ₹ 750 and Balram is liable to pay ₹ 250.

  • It is important to note that where the co-sureties have agreed to guarantee different sums of one single debt to the principal debtor, even then they are liable to contribute equally subject to the maximum limit fixed by them.
  • Thus, within the maximum limit fixed by the co-sureties, they are liable to contribute equal amount.

Example:
A, B and C, as sureties for D, enter into three several bonds, each in a different penalty, namely, A in the penalty of 10,000 rupees, B in that of ₹ 20,000, C in that of ₹ 40,000, conditioned for D’s duty accounting to E. D makes default to the extent of ₹ 30,000. A, B and C are each liable to pay t 10,000.

Example:
A, B and C, as sureties for D, enter into three several bonds, each in a different penalty, namely, A in the penalty of ₹ 10,000, B in that of ₹ 20,000, C in that of ₹ 40,000, conditioned for D’s duly accounting to E. D makes default to the extent of ₹ 40,000. A is liable to pay ₹ 10,000, and B and C ₹ 15,000 each.

Example:
A, B and C, as sureties for D, enter into three several bonds, each in a different penalty, namely, A in the penalty of ₹ 10,000, B in that of ₹ 20,000, C in that of ₹ 40,000, conditioned for D’s duly accounting to E. D makes default to the extent of ₹ 70,000. A, B and C have to pay each the fully penalty of his bond.

Right to Share the Benefit of Securities: If the one co-surety receives any security from principal debtor or from the creditor, all other co-sureties are entitled to share the benefit of the securities on discharge of debt.

Indian Contract Act, 1872 - Indemnity and Guarantee – CA Inter Law Notes

Discharge of Surety:

A surety may be discharged from liability under the following circumstances:

By Revocation- Section 130:

By Death of Surety – Section 131:

By Variance in Terms – Section 133:
Any variance made without surety’s consent, in the terms of the contract between the principal (debtor) and the creditor, discharges the surety as to transactions subsequent to the variance.

Example:
A becomes surety to C for B’s conduct as a manager in C’s bank. Afterwards, B and C contract, without A’s consent, that B’s salary shall be raised, and that he shall become liable for one-fourth of the losses on overdrafts. B allows a customer to overdraw, and the bank loses a sum of money. A is discharged from his suretyship by the variance made without his consent, and is not liable to make good this loss.

Example:
A guarantees C against the misconduct of B in an office to which B is appointed by C, and of which the duties are defined by an Act of the Legislature. By a subsequent Act, the nature of the office is materially altered. Afterwards, B misconducts himself. A is discharged by the change from future liability under his guarantee, though the misconduct of B is in respect of a duty not affected by the later Act.

Release or Dis-charge of Principal Debtor – Section 134:
The surety is discharged if:

  • principal debtor is relieved from his liability by way of fresh contract; or
  • creditor does any act or omission, which discharge principal debtor.

Example:
A contract with B for a fixed price to build a house for B within a stipulated time, B supplying the necessary timber. C guarantees A’sperformance of the contract. B omits to supply the timber. C is discharged from his suretyship.

However, where creditor fails to sue the principal debtor within the limitation period, the surety is not discharged.

Composition or Extension of Time – Sections 135 & 136:
The surety is discharged if creditor makes composition or extends time limit for repayment of debt by principal debtor or not to sue principal debtor without obtaining consent of surety.

However, if a contract of giving time is entered with any third party, then surety will not be discharged.

Act Inconsistent with Rights of Surety- Section 139:
Surety is discharged, if creditor does any act in a manner inconsistent with right of surety and impairs the eventual remedy of the surety.

Example:
B contracts to build a ship for C for a given sum, to be paid by instalments as the work reaches certain stages. A becomes surety to C for B’s due performance of the contract. C, without the knowledge of A, prepays to B the last two instalments. A discharged by this prepayment.

Example:
‘A’ puts ‘M’ as the cashier under B and agrees to stand as surety provided ‘B’ check the cash every month. ‘M’ embezzles cash. ‘A’ was not held to be responsible as B failed to verify the cash every month.

Release or Lose of Security by Creditor – Section 141:

  • The surety is discharged to the extent of the value of security lost by creditor unless surety consented to release of security.
  • It is immaterial whether the surety was or is aware of such security or not.

Invalidation of Contract of Guarantee:
Surety is liable under the contract of guarantee if the contract is valid. But in the following circumstances guarantee contract is treated as invalid:

  • When the guarantee has been obtained by means of misrepresentation.
  • When the guarantee is obtained by concealment of facts or by remaining silence as to material circumstances.
  • When surety gives the guarantee on condition that creditor shall not act until co-surety join and co-surety fails to join.

Example:
A engages B as clerk to collect money for him and B fails to account for some of his receipts. Thereupon, A calls upon B to furnish security for his duly accounting the receipts. C gives the required guarantee. A does not inform C of the fact of a previous defalcation by B and thereafter B again makes a default. The guarantee would be invalid.

Indian Contract Act, 1872 - Indemnity and Guarantee – CA Inter Law Notes

Difference Between Contract of Indemnity and Contract of Guarantee

Basis of Comparison Contract of Indemnity – Section 124 Contract of Guarantee – Section 126
Meaning A contract in which one party promises to another that he will compensate him for any loss suffered by him by the act of the promisor or the third party. A contract in which a part}’ promises to another party that he will perform the contract or compensate the loss, in case of the default of the person, it is the contract of guarantee.
Parties There are two parties to the contract:
Indemnifier (promisor); and
Indemnity holder (promi­see)
There are three parties to the contract:
Creditor;
Principal debtor; and
Surety
Number of Contracts There is only one contract.
(Between the indemnifier and the indemnity holder)
There are three contracts. (Between principal debtor and creditor; between creditor and the surety and between surety and principal debtor)
Nature of Liability The liability of indemnifier is primary and independent. The liability of the surety is secondary and conditional.
Purpose To compensate for loss To give assurance to promisee
Can sue third party? An indemniher cannot sue a third party for loss in his own name, because there is no privity of contract. He can do so only if there is an assignment in his favour. A surety, on discharging the debt due by the principal debtor, steps into the shoes of the creditor. He can proceed against the principal debtor in his own right.

Practice Questions

Question 1.
BEE owes ₹ 10,000 to CEE. Amount was guaranteed by GEE. Said debt becomes payable on 25th October, 2017. CEE does not sue BEE. Hence, due to delay GEE is automatically discharged from his suretyship. Comment.
Answer:
Section 137 – GEE is not discharge from suretyship.

Question 2.
‘A’ executed a guarantee in favour of State Bank of India as security for a loan to ‘B’. Later ‘A’ contended that the guarantee was not enforceable, as it was not supported by consideration, as he was not paid guarantee commission. Is ‘A’s stand correct in law?
Answer:
Section 127 – A’s stand that the guarantee was not enforceable as it was not supported by consideration is not correct.

Question 3.
Mr. Ray made a contract with Mr. Basu to grow vegetables on Mr. Ray’s land and to deliver to Mr. Basu at a fixed rate. Mr. Karmakar guarantees Mr. Ray’s performance of this contract. Mr. Basu diverts stream of water, which is necessary for production thereby prevented Mr. Ray to grow vegetables. Mr. Ray fails to supply as per contract. Hence, Mr. Basu sues Mr. Karmakar (Guarantor), for non-performance. Advice.
Answer:
Section 139 – Mr. Basu is discharged from his duties.

Question 4.
Mr. Barick owes banker a debt guaranteed by both Mr. Arora and Mr. Bora. The banker releases Mr. Arora one of the co-sureties. Hence the remaining i.e. other surety (Mr. Bora) is also released automatically. Advise.
Answer:
Section 138 – Mr. Bora is not released from liability.

Indian Contract Act, 1872 - Indemnity and Guarantee – CA Inter Law Notes

Question 5.
Statement publishes at the request of Mr. D.D. a libel upon Mr. S.S. Mr. D.D. agree to indemnify the statement the consequence of the publication if any. Mr. S.S. sued statesman to pay damage. Statesman paid ? 2,00,000 to Mr. S.S. and demanded the amount from D.D. who refused. State legal provisions.
Answer:
Mr. D.D. is not liable.

Question 6.
Is Contract of Guarantee a contract of uberrimae fidei?
Answer:
Contract of partnership, insurance contract are contract of ‘uberrimae- / fidei’They are contract of utmost good faith. In the case of contract of uberrimae fidei ‘fraud’ on the part of any party to the contract gives another party to set aside the contract.

In the case of contract of guarantee’ fraud on the part of the principal debtor is not enough to set aside the contract unless the surety shows that the creditor or his agent knew of the fraud and was party to it.

In the case of National Provincial Bank of England vs. Glanusk, A guaranteed the account of B with the bank. Afterwards B drew on this account and paid off an overdraft he had with another bank. It was held the fact that bank was suspicious that B was defrauding A and did not communicate its suspicions to A did not discharge the guarantee.

Question 7.
X took a loan of ₹ 60,000 from B to be paid with interest @10% p.a. to be paid within one year. C stood a guarantor for X. What is the extent of liability of C in the instant case?
Answer:
C is liable to pay principal amount of ₹ 60,000 plus interest @10% for the period the debt remained unpaid in the event of X’s failure to pay the debt. B cannot demand the payment from C unless claiming the amount from X. However, he can sue C without suing the principal debtor X.

Past Examination Questions

Question 1.
‘A’ stands surety for ‘B’ for any amount, which ‘C’ may lend to B from
time to time during the next three months subject to a maximum of ₹ 50,000. One month later, A revokes the guarantee, when C had lent to B ₹ 5,000. Referring to the provisions of the Indian Contract Act, 1872 decide whether ‘A’ is discharged from all the liabilities to ‘C’ for any subsequent loan. What would be your answer in case ‘B’ makes a default in paying back to ‘C’ the money already borrowed i.e. ₹ 5,000? (CA November 2002)
Or
Amit stands surety for ‘Bikram’ for any amount which ‘Chander’ may lend to ‘Bikram’ from time to time during the next three months subject to a maximum amount of ₹ 1,00,000 (one lakh only). One month later ‘Amit’ revokes the surety, when ‘Chander’ had already lent to ‘Bikram’ ₹ 10,000 (ten thousand). Referring to the provisions of the Indian Contract Act, 1872. Decide:
(i) Whether ‘Amit’ is discharged from all the liabilities to ‘Chander’ for any subsequent loan given to ‘Bikram’?
(ii) What would be your answer in case ‘Bikram’ makes a default in paying back to ‘Chander’ the already borrowed amount of ₹ 10,000? (CA November 2015)
Answer:
As per section 130, continuing guarantee can be revoked:

  • By giving notice at any time by surety as to future transaction; or
  • On death of surety, except contract provides any contrary provisions.

On revocation of contract of guarantee, surety is discharged from all future transactions but his liability for previous transactions remain continues.

Applying the above provisions in the given case, A is discharged from all the liabilities to C for any subsequent loan. Answer in the second case would differ i.e. A is liable to C for ₹ 5,000 on default of B since the loan was taken before the notice of revocation was given to C.

Indian Contract Act, 1872 - Indemnity and Guarantee – CA Inter Law Notes

Question 2.
Distinguish between contract of indemnity and contract of guarantee. (CA November 2004)
Answer:

Question 3.
Ravi becomes guarantor for Ashok for the amount which may be given to him by Nalin within six months. The maximum limit of the said amount is ₹ 1 lakh. After two months, Ravi withdraws his guarantee. Upto the time of revocation of guarantee, Nalim had given to Ashok ₹ 20,000.
(i) Whether Ravi is discharged from his liabilities to Nalin for any subsequent loan?
(ii) Whether Ravi is liable if Ashok fails to pay the amount of ₹ 20,000 to Nalin? (CA May 2006)
Answer:
As per section 130 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872 a specific guarantee cannot be revoked by the surety if the liability has already accrued. The surety, may at any time, revoke a continuing guarantee as to future transactions, by notice to the creditor, but the surety remains liable for transactions already entered into.

As per the above provisions (i) Yes, Ravi is discharged from all subsequent loan because it is a case of continuing guarantee, (ii) Ravi is liable for payment of ₹ 20,000 to Nalin because the transaction has already completed.

Question 4.
Explaining the provisions of the Indian Contract Act, 1872, answer the following:
(i) A contracts with B for a fixed price to construct a house for B within a stipulated time. B would supply the necessary material to be used in the construction. C guarantees A’s performance of the contract. B does not supply the material as per the agreement. Is C discharged from his liability?
(ii) C, the holder of an overdue bill of exchange drawn by A as surety for B, and accepted by B, contracts with X to give time to B. Is A discharged from his liabiIity?(CA November 2006)
Answer:
(i) According to section 134of the Indian Contract Act, 1872, the surety is discharged by any contract between the creditor and the principal debtor, by which the principal debtor is released or by any act or omission for the creditor, the legal consequence of which is the discharge of the principal debtor. In the given case, the B omits to supply the timber. Hence, C is discharged from his liability.

(ii) According to section 136 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872, where a contract to give time to the principal debtor is made by the creditor with a third person and not with the principal debtor, the surety is not discharged. In the given question, the contract to give time to the principal debtor is made by the creditor with X who is a third person. X is not the principal debtor. Hence, A is not discharged.

Question 5.
State whether the following statement is correct or incorrect: Where there are co-sureties, a release by the creditor of one of them does not discharge the others. (CA November 2007)
Answer:
Statement is correct.

Question 6.
State whether the following statement is correct or incorrect: In a contract of guarantee, forbearance by the creditor to sue the principal debtor discharges the surety. (CA May 2008)
Answer:
Statement is not correct. Section 137 of Indian Contract Act, 1872, provides that any forbearance by the creditor to sue the principal debtor does not discharge the surety.

Question 7.
State whether the following statement is correct or incorrect: The contract of insurance is not fully covered under the contract of indemnity. (CA November 2008)
Answer:
Statement is correct. Contract of indemnity includes loss occurred due to act of promisor or some other person but it does not include loss occurred due to act of god. Whereas contract of insurance covers loss occurred due to act of god also.

Indian Contract Act, 1872 - Indemnity and Guarantee – CA Inter Law Notes

Question 8.
B owes C a debt guaranteed by A. C does not sue B for a year after the debt has become payable. In the meantime, B becomes insolvent. Is A discharged? Decide with reference to the provisions of the Indian Contract Act, 1872. (CA November 2008)
Answer:
The problem is based on the provisions of section 137 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872 relating to discharge of surety. The section states that mere forbearance on the part of the creditor to sue the principal debtor and/ or to enforce any other remedy against him would not, in the absence of any provision in the guarantee to the contrary, discharge the surety. In view of these provisions, A is not discharged from his liability as a surety

Question 9.
A gives to C a continuing guarantee to the extent of ₹ 5000 for the vegetables to be supplied by C to B from time to time on credit. Afterwards, B became embarrassed, and without the knowledge of A, B and C contract that C shall continue to supply B with vegetables for ready money, and that the payments shall be applied to the then existing debts between B and C. Examining the provision of the Indian Contract Act, 1872, decide whether A is liable on his guarantee given to C. (CA November 2008)
Answer:
The problem as asked in the question is based on the provisions of the Indian Contract Act, 1872 as contained in section 133. The section provides that any variance made without the surety’s consent in the terms of the contract between the principal debtor and the creditor, discharge the surety as to transactions subsequent to the variance.

In the given problem, all the above requirements are fulfilled. Therefore, A is not liable on his guarantee for the vegetable supplied after these new arrangements. The reason for such a discharge is that the surety agreed to be liable for a contract, which is no more there, and he is not liable on the altered contract because it is different from the contract made by him.

Question 10.
State whether the following statement is correct or incorrect: Any variation in terms of contract made between principal debtor and a creditor without the consent of surety, automatically discharges the liability of the surety. (CA May 2009)
Answer:
Statement is incorrect. Surety’s liability will be discharged if any variance is made without his consent in terms of contract between principal debtor and creditor. – Section 133

Question 11.
State whether the following statement is correct or incorrect: In contract of guarantee, there are three contracts. (CA November 2013)
Answer:
Statement is correct. There are three contracts in the contract of guarantee, one between principal debtor and creditor, second between principal debtor and surely and third between surety and the creditor.

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