Question

L.D.T. International Sales Corp. (L.D.T.), an American firm, contracted to sell 100,000 pounds of ""US Fresh Frozen Chicken, Grade A, Government Inspected"" to Freight Importing Co. (Freight), a Swiss company. When L.D.T. asked Freight what kind of chickens were wanted, Freight said ""any kind of chickens."" L.D.T. also asked whether the term ""chicken"" included the German word ""Huhn"", which includes both older stewing and younger broiling and frying chickens. In response, Freight answered yes.

When the shipment of chicken arrived, Freight complained that the chicken delivered were substantially older stewing chicken or ""fowl."" According to Freight, the term ""chicken"" in the contract meant younger and more expensive chickens suitable for broiling or frying. L.D.T. replied that ""chicken"" meant any bird of that species and both older and younger chickens met the contract's specifications. When L.D.T. did not agree to deliver entirely young chicken suitable for broiling and frying, Freight sued L.D.T. for breach of contract. In the dispute between L.D.T. International Sales Corp. and Freight Importing Co. over the interpretation of the term "chicken" in their contract, leading to a disagreement about the age and suitability of the delivered birds, what legal issue is at the center of Freight's breach of contract claim against L.D.T.?

Answer 1

The legal issue at the center of Freight's breach of contract claim against L.D.T. is the interpretation of the term "chicken" in their contract.

Step-by-step explanation:

The legal issue at the center of Freight's breach of contract claim against L.D.T. revolves around the interpretation and definition of the term "chicken" within the contractual agreement between the two parties.

The dispute primarily concerns the understanding and definition of the term "chicken" as it relates to the contractual obligation for L.D.T. to supply "US Fresh Frozen Chicken, Grade A, Government Inspected" to Freight. The disagreement stems from differing interpretations regarding whether the term "chicken" encompasses both older stewing chickens (fowl) and younger broiling or frying chickens, or if it specifically refers to only younger chickens suitable for broiling or frying, as asserted by Freight.

Freight contends that the term "chicken" in the contract specifically refers to younger and more expensive chickens suitable for broiling or frying. On the other hand, L.D.T. asserts that the term "chicken" encompasses any bird of that species, including both older stewing chickens and younger chickens, meeting the contract's specifications.

The central legal issue is the interpretation and understanding of the contractual term "chicken," addressing whether the delivered birds fulfilled the contractual requirements based on the differing interpretations of the term outlined by both parties in the contract.