Presented by: David S. Bland LeBlanc Bland, P.L.L.C. 1717 St. James Pl., Suite 360 Houston, Texas...
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Transcript of Presented by: David S. Bland LeBlanc Bland, P.L.L.C. 1717 St. James Pl., Suite 360 Houston, Texas...
Presented by: David S. Bland
LeBlanc Bland, P.L.L.C.1717 St. James Pl., Suite 360
Houston, Texas 77056(713)627-7100
MANAGING RISKS THROUGH CONTRACTUAL MECHANISMS
Presentation to the Royal Norwegian Consulate General
MARCH 7, 2011
Managing Risk Through Contractual Mechanisms
• Contracts can and should be tailored to suit the particular risks inherent in a particular business transaction
• Not all risks are insurable – common contract clauses can avoid, reduce, shift or allocate risks
Insurance
• Require other party to contract to maintain various policies
• Support indemnity obligations• Name as additional assured • Waiver of subrogation• Primary coverage
Indemnity
• Definition – a promise by one party to protect another party from a risk or unfavorable events that may occur in the future
• Narrow (“at law”/negligence based) or Broad (regardless of fault)
• “Knock for knock” is prevalent in many industries; typically covers personal injuries and property damage
• Eliminates costly effort to determine and apportion fault
• Should be coordinated with Insurance requirements
Indemnity (cont’d)
• Enforceability Issues:– Express Negligence/Fair Notice requirements– Anti-Indemnity Statutes applicable to some industries
• LA and TX – applicable to contracts that “pertain to” oilwell• Enacted to protect parties with inferior bargaining power from
being forced to hold the party with superior bargaining harmless from their own fault
• Note that even parties with equal bargaining power who mutually agree that K/K would be of benefit will be prohibited if Anti-Indemnity Statues are applicable
• Choice of law provisions may be able to avoid• Other ways to avoid – Insurance; Marcel exception
Contractual Limitations of Liability
• Waivers of Consequential Damages• Red Letter Clauses• Liquidated Damages – sole and exclusive remedy for delay
or other breach• Express Warranty exclusive of implied or legal warranties;
repair or replacement as sole and exclusive remedy for breach of warranty
• Force Majeure – no damages for delay• Borrowed Servant/Statutory Employer clause• Express exclusion of “at law” or “in equity” rights and
remedies
Other Contractual Clauses that Can Reduce Risk
• Choice of Law• Choice of Forum or ADR• Clearly defined scope of work– Design responsibility
• Changes in writing• Intellectual Property rights and indemnity from
third party infringement claims• Title and Risk of Loss• Bonding requirements