Zora and Wayne are both adults.Zora does not like Wayne because Wayne made fun of her in elementary school.Zora became a successful fashion designer.Wayne got a job at a local bank at a relatively low salary.Zora,who really holds a grudge,thinks that she has finally decided on a way to get even with Wayne.Knowing that she is being untruthful,Zora tells Wayne that if he will quit his job at the bank,she has a great opportunity for him hiring models for her clothing and that she wants to employ him for a period of two years at $100,000 per year.Nothing was in writing,but in reliance on her promise,Wayne quit his job at the bank and showed up at Zora's office eager to interview models.Zora says "Ha,ha,I'm even with you?get lost.I'd never trust you to hire models.You should have paid more attention in Business Law and gotten the agreement in writing." Wayne is really mad and sues.Who should win?
A) Zora should win, because the agreement should have been in writing.
B) Zora should win, because Wayne deserved what he got.
C) Wayne should win on the basis of promissory estoppel.
D) Wayne should win, because the agreement was not within the Statute of Frauds.
E) Zora should win, because Wayne had no basis upon which to rely upon her promise.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Wayne should win on the basis of promissory estoppel. Zora made a promise to Wayne, who relied on it and acted by quitting his job. Zora's promise caused a detrimental effect on Wayne, and it would be unjust for her to go back on it. Even though the promise was not in writing, Wayne can sue based on promissory estoppel, which prevents unjust enrichment or detriment caused by a promise. The Statute of Frauds applies only to certain types of contracts, which may require a written agreement, but promissory estoppel is a doctrine that can operate outside the scope of the Statute of Frauds.

Zora and Wayne Are Both Adults