4. Shortage of quantity, partial destruction at the time of the contract (Art. 574)

  • Applicable to sale of a specific property.
  • Contract of sale for an agreed quantity of the property: (1) quantity must be of importance; (2) contract price negotiated and determined on the basis of the quantity.
    • 2002Da65189: In preparing for an auction, the court designated the location (address) of the property, the size in square metres and the minimum price per square metre. The description is merely to identify the property and the global price. The contract is for the sale of the property itself. It is not a contract for an agreed quantity of the property. Compare 99Da47396 In an ‘initial’ sale of apartments, the portion of land (corresponding to each unit of apartment) turned out to be smaller than agreed. Shortage of quantity. After the 1 year limitation, price reduction is no longer claimable; the buyer may not claim “unjust enrichment” either. Art 390 damages claim would not be available if the goal is to achieve “price reduction”.
    • 2001Da12256: If the unit price (price per square metre) was the basis for negotiating the contract price of the property and if the parties had known that the size of the property was different they would have reached a different contract price, then it is a contract for an agreed quantity (even though the contract itself does not specify the size of the property). “It was difficult to see and ascertain the precise extent and size of the land in question 육안으로 보아서는 매매목적 토지의 경계와 면적을 명확히 알기 어려운 상황이었다고 보아야 할 것이다”
    • 98Da13914: Even if the unit price was used in the calculation of the contract price, where the parties considered the property as a whole (and the physical extent of the property is easily recognisable) and came to the contract price, then the contract is for the entirety of the property, not for an agreed quantity of the property. “Considering that the plaintiff (buyer) surveyed the land in question twice before the conclusion of contract, the contract was for the sale of the land delimited by the boundaries, rather than a sale of an agreed quantity. 원고가 이 사건 매매계약을 체결하기 전 이 사건 토지를 2차례 현장답사하여 현황을 확인하였던 점 등에 비추어 이 사건 토지 매매는 ‘수량을 지정한 매매’라고 볼 수 없고, 구획된 경계에 따라 특정하여 매매한 것”
  • Applicable only when the shortage/destruction already occurred at the time of the contract (unbeknownst to the parties).
  • 94Da56098: Shortage occurred after the contract, due to the seller’s decision to convey a portion of the property to a third party. Art. 574 inapplicable, but the seller must be held responsible for a breach of contract. The validity of a waiver clause “Where, due to the finalisation of the land register, the size of the jointly owned land turns out to be greater or smaller than the agreed size, neither parties shall demand price adjustment. 공유대지에 대한 공부 정리 결과 공유대지의 증가나 감소가 있을 경우 이에 대한 상당 금액을 서로 청구하지 않기로 한다”? Held to be inapplicable where the seller was negligent (at fault).
  • Buyer’s remedy: reduction of price (divisible contract), termination (indivisible contract), seller may not terminate. Seller’s no fault not a defence. Available for 1 year from the moment buyer is made aware of the shortage.
  • If buyer knew of the shortage at the time of the contract, no remedy available for the buyer.
  • 99Da47396: Buyer may not seek reduction or compensation alleging unjust enrichment or Art. 535 (culpa in contrahendo). Art. 574 is the exhaustive remedy for shortage/destruction which already occurred at the time of the contract. 분양대금은 평당 단가(총대지가액과 건축비용 등 총공사비와 이윤을 합한 금액을 총건축평수로 나누어 산출한다)에 분양될 건물의 평수를 곱하여 산정된 것
  • If the quantity turns out to be materially greater than the quantity assumed by the parties, the seller can rescind the contract on the ground of mistake.
  • If the quantity turns out to be materially smaller than assumed, the buyer may resort to rescission on the ground of a mistake? (Yes). But, can the seller rescind the contract on the ground of a mistake? Where the buyer is claiming a remedy under the seller’s warranty liability, the seller may not rescind the contract on the ground of a mistake. 서울고등법원 1980. 10. 31. 선고 80나2589 판결
  • 2015Da78703: Rescission for mistake and termination for a material defect are separate, alternative remedies which are all available for the purchaser to choose from.
  • 76Da268: Rescission for deception and termination under Articles 569, 570 are also separate, alternative remedies.