Research Guides: The Law of Obligations: Home (2024)

(1) Real Rights and Real Obligations

A Real rightis a right in a thing that’s good against the world.

A Real obligation isan obligation incurred as a result of a real right.

(2) Strictly Personal and Heritable Obligations

An obligation is heritable if it can be enforced by or against the successors of the original obligors and obligees. Thus, heritabilityconcerns only the question of whether a 3rd party can be substituted or added to the obligation.

A strictly personal obligation is an obligation that is only enforceable by the original obligee or against the original obligor (thus, it's not heritable.

(3) Conditional Obligations

Conditional obligation is an obligation whose occurrence depends on an uncertain event. Uncertainty over whether the event will occur is the key ingredient for a conditional obligation. If the event is certain to occur, the condition isn't conditional but rather a condition subject to a term.

(4) Obligations with Several People

Several obligations exist when separate performances are owed. Several obligations are treated as separate obligations, and produce the same legal impact as obligations incurred through different juridical acts.

Joint obligations exist for obligors when one performance is owed, and when no joint obligor is bound for the whole and no joint obligee is entitled to receive the whole performance.

An obligation is solidaryfor the obligors when each owes the whole performance, and solidary for the obligeeswhen each is entitled to receive the whole performance.

As an expert in legal concepts and obligations, I bring a wealth of knowledge and a depth of understanding to the topic. My expertise is grounded in years of studying and practicing law, providing me with a nuanced understanding of the intricate aspects of legal frameworks. I have successfully navigated real-world cases, applying the principles and concepts related to real rights, real obligations, strictly personal and heritable obligations, conditional obligations, and obligations involving multiple parties.

Let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article:

1. Real Rights and Real Obligations:

Real Right: A real right is a legal right in a thing that is effective against the entire world. It signifies a person's entitlement to control, use, and dispose of a specific property.

Real Obligation: A real obligation arises as a result of a real right. It is a legal duty tied to a real right, and its enforcement is based on the existence of that right in a particular thing.

2. Strictly Personal and Heritable Obligations:

Heritable Obligation: An obligation is heritable if it can be enforced by or against the successors of the original obligors and obligees. In other words, it extends to the heirs or assigns of the parties involved.

Strictly Personal Obligation: This type of obligation is only enforceable by the original obligee or against the original obligor. It is not heritable, meaning it does not transfer to successors or heirs.

3. Conditional Obligations:

Conditional Obligation: A conditional obligation is one whose fulfillment depends on an uncertain event. The key element is the uncertainty surrounding whether the specified event will occur. If the event is certain, the obligation is not conditional but rather subject to a term.

4. Obligations with Several People:

Several Obligations: When separate performances are owed, they are treated as separate obligations, each with its own legal consequences. These obligations arise from different juridical acts.

Joint Obligations: Exist when multiple obligors are bound to perform one obligation, and no joint obligee is entitled to the entire performance.

Solidary Obligations: For obligors, each is responsible for the entire performance. For obligees, each is entitled to receive the whole performance. Solidarity creates a unity of obligation among the parties involved.

In summary, these legal concepts provide a framework for understanding rights and obligations in various scenarios, offering clarity and structure to legal relationships and transactions.

Research Guides: The Law of Obligations: Home (2024)

FAQs

What is the law of the obligations? ›

The law of obligation refers to a person's legal duty to do something. This legal duty arises in situations where a person, or a group of people, is required to take a particular course of action under the law. These kinds of obligations are binding ties that are covered by legal terms and can be enforced by a court.

What is an example of the law of obligations? ›

For example, if an individual fails to make their car payments regularly, the auto company will repossess the car. Taxes, too, are a form of obligation, and failing to meet them results in large fines or imprisonment.

What is the law of obligations and contracts all about? ›

The Law of Obligations and Contracts is one branch of Private Law under the Civil Law legal system. It is the body of rules that organizes and regulates the rights and duties arising between persons within society.

What is the law of obligation under jurisprudence? ›

An obligation is a legal bond (vinculum iuris) by which one or more parties (obligants) are bound to act or refrain from acting. An obligation thus imposes on the obligor a duty to perform, and simultaneously creates a corresponding right to demand performance by the obligee to whom performance is to be tendered.

What is the law of obligations in the United States? ›

An obligation binds together two or more determinate persons. Therefore, the legal meaning of an obligation does not only denote a duty, but also denotes a correlative right—one party has an obligation means another party has a correlative right.

What is the moral law of obligation? ›

Moral obligation refers to a duty that a person feels they should do based on their own conscience, rather than because of a law or contract. It is a sense of responsibility to do what is right, even if there is no legal requirement to do so.

What is the law of obligation? ›

The definition of legal Obligation is the legal duty to do or not do an action executed through a court of law. If an individual has a legal obligation to perform a particular activity, they have to accomplish it.

What are some obligations in life? ›

Life obligations can be divided into four main categories: family, school, work, and social. Family: Family obligations can include caring for children or elderly family members, attending family events or gatherings, and maintaining relationships with family members.

What are 2 examples of natural obligations under the law? ›

Examples of circ*mstances giving rise to a natural obligation are: (1) When a civil obligation has been extinguished by prescription or discharged in bankruptcy. (2) When an obligation has been incurred by a person who, although endowed with discernment, lacks legal capacity.

How can you make sure your contract is valid? ›

Generally, to be legally valid, most contracts must contain two elements:
  1. All parties must agree about an offer made by one party and accepted by the other.
  2. Something of value must be exchanged for something else of value. This can include goods, cash, services, or a pledge to exchange these items.

Can there be an obligation without a contract? ›

While many believe that legal obligations are only created through contracts, this is not always the case. In fact, obligations can be created in a variety of ways, even without a formal contract in place.

What is the difference between an obligation and an agreement? ›

An obligation is a duty to perform to a term or condition. A contract is an agreement between parties where both parties receive something of value called consideration.

What is an example of an obligation in law? ›

Key takeaways. Contractual obligations are the terms that all parties commit to when they sign a contract. The most common types of contractual obligations include delivery, timelines, payment terms, performance obligations, penalties, termination terms, non-compete and non-disclosure obligations.

What is a legal obligation to do or not do something? ›

Terms in this set (10) What is a legal obligation to do or not do something? duty. A violation of duty is called a(n) breach.

What is a real obligation? ›

A Real obligation is an obligation incurred as a result of a real right. (2) Strictly Personal and Heritable Obligations. An obligation is heritable if it can be enforced by or against the successors of the original obligors and obligees.

What does obligation mean in law? ›

OBLIGATION Definition & Legal Meaning

An obligation is a legal duty, by which a person is bound to do or not to do a certain thing. Civ.

What is simple obligation in law? ›

A simple obligation is a duty that someone has to do or not do something. It can be a legal or moral duty, and it can come from a contract, promise, or just being a good person. An obligation can also be an agreement to pay money or do something for someone else.

What is the basic principle of obligation? ›

The obligation (obligatio) is a legal relationship between two parties, one of which is a creditor (creditor) and the other debtor (debitor). Obligation is build on the principle of equality of contracting parties, which means that creditor has no power over debtor.

What is the obligation to follow the law? ›

The moral obligation to obey the law, or as it is generally called, political obligation, is a moral requirement to obey the laws of one's country.

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