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American Contract Law for a Global Age, 2017a

American Contract Law for a Global Age, 2017a

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BLICESTER: What?<br />

JUDGE [covers eyes]: And I can’t see your deed.<br />

BLICESTER: What are you talking about?<br />

JUDGE [uncovers his eyes]: I’m sorry, you have to prove the well<br />

is on your land, and you can’t prove it.<br />

BLICESTER: Yes, I can. Here’s the blinking deed! It’s signed by<br />

the blooming Earl!<br />

JUDGE: Ah, yes. If I listened to what you said and looked at the<br />

deed, you’d win.<br />

BLICESTER: That’s what I’m saying!<br />

JUDGE: So I won’t.<br />

BLICESTER: You won’t what?<br />

JUDGE: Listen to you or look at your proof.<br />

BLICESTER: But you have to!<br />

JUDGE: I don’t have to do anything. I’m a judge.<br />

BLICESTER: What?<br />

JUDGE: [Patiently] Here, you’re not a lawyer, my lord. Let me<br />

explain. To prove that the property is on your land, you’d have to swear<br />

that it’s your land and show me the deed. In order <strong>for</strong> me to officially<br />

recognize your testimony and your documents, I have to enter them into<br />

evidence be<strong>for</strong>e me, right?<br />

BLICESTER: I suppose so.<br />

JUDGE: Now, think hard. I’m the judge. Who decides whether<br />

things are going to be admitted into evidence be<strong>for</strong>e me?<br />

BLICESTER: Uh . . . you?<br />

JUDGE: Nicely done! Me. So follow this carefully. [Illustrates<br />

points by raising fingers one by one.] One, you will prove your case if your<br />

testimony and evidence are admitted. But two, to prove the case you<br />

have to get your evidence admitted. Three, I am not going to admit your<br />

evidence because you are a bad person who lied, and you shouldn’t be<br />

rewarded <strong>for</strong> your own evil acts. That would be inequitable. Four, since<br />

you have failed to place any admissible evidence be<strong>for</strong>e me, you haven’t<br />

proved it’s your land. And five, since you have no right to throw anyone<br />

off property that isn’t yours, Farmer Giles wins.<br />

______________________________________________________________________________<br />

UNIT 9: PROMISSORY ESTOPPEL AS A CONSIDERATION SUBSTITUTE 157

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