Question

LAW OF CONTRACTS

Mr. Adu advertised in a local newspaper "The Kumasi Graphic" that he would pay a handsome amount of 2,000 Ghana Cedis to whoever finds his missing dog. On Friday, Michael found the dog in his garage. Also on that same Friday Mr. Adu placed a notice at Kumasi Market stating that the reward could no longer be claimed. On Saturday Michael took the dog to Mr. Adu. Mr. Adu was delighted with the return but refused to pay Michael anything.

Michael has come to see you, as a student of the law of contract. Advise Michael.

Answer 1

In this case, Michael cannot do anything against Mr. Adu because they didn't have any legal agreement amongst them. Had Michael had found the dog a day before up till he could claim the amount which was valid till Friday and then if Mr. Adu refused to pay him then he could have done something against him. But here nothing can be done under the law. But even if Mr. Adu has withdrawn from giving away the claim amount he could've given Michael some portion of the amount because the boy has done a good deed by taking Mr. Adu's dog back to him even after knowing that he cannot claim the specified amount. Morally Mr. Adu could give him the specified or the portion of the specified amount to Michael but legally he is not obliged to pay him anything on Saturday(after placing a notice that the reward could no longer be claimed).