Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Promissory Estoppel Theory only applicable outside contract obligations


As is true of other equitable doctrines and remedies, promissory estoppel does not apply when the issue is governed by a formal contract. It may provide a remedy with respect of promises not incorporated into a contract and/or totally independent of a contract.   

ELEMENTS OF PROMISSORY ESTOPPEL

The elements of promissory estoppel are (1) a promise, (2) foreseeability of reliance thereon by the promisor, and (3) substantial reliance by the promisee to his detriment. English v. Fischer, 660 S.W.2d 521, 524 (Tex. 1983); Beverick v. Koch Power, Inc., 186 S.W.3d 145, 152 (Tex. App.-Houston [1st Dist.] 2005, pet. denied).
 
"Promissory estoppel does not apply to a promise covered by a valid contract between the parties; it does apply, however, to a promise outside the contract." Barnett v. Coppell N. Tex. Court, Ltd., 123 S.W.3d 804, 825 (Tex. App.-Dallas 2003, pet. denied); see also Subaru of Am., Inc. v. David McDavid Nissan, Inc., 84 S.W.3d 212, 226 (Tex. 2002) (noting that "the promissory-estoppel doctrine presumes no contract exists"). The promise must be one "which the promisor should reasonably expect to induce action or forbearance of a definite and substantial character on the part of the promisee." CRSS Inc. v. Runion, 992 S.W.2d 1, 6 (Tex. App.-Houston [1st Dist.] 1995, pet. denied) (quoting "Moore" Burger, Inc. v. Phillips Petroleum Co., 492 S.W.2d 934, 937 (Tex. 1972) (quoting RESTATEMENT OF CONTRACTS § 90 (1932))). As a corollary, the promise "must be more than mere speculation concerning future events, a statement of hope, or an expression of opinion, expectation, or assumption." Comiskey v. FH Partners, LLC, 373 S.W.3d 620, 635 (Tex. App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 2012, pet. denied).

SOURCE: HOUSTON COURT OF APPEALS - No. 01-11-00800-CV – 2/28/2013

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