domingo, 16 de febrero de 2014

Recognizing Contract Risk and Opportunities



            After completing the Contract Creation and Management simulation, the following written report will identify the present legal issues and note the legal principles that apply to each issue. By using the legal principles presented in the readings, (University of Phoenix, 2014).
Present the specific risks and opportunities a Puerto Rican company in a similar situation may face when doing business, and evaluating the measures a manager may take to avoid those risks, minimize liabilities, and benefit from the opportunities found in the simulation.

Puerto Rican Company
Simulation Issue Summary / Liabilities
Justification/Explanation for the Issue
Opportunities
Risks
Asserted rescission in contract based on:  low quality deliverables, and behind schedules.
·         Breach of Contract
·         Deadlines/Timelines
·         Budgeting
The client allegedly disclosed privileged and codified information to a third party.
·         confidentiality agreement
·         secrecy agreement
·         non-disclosure
The client allegedly contacted an Indian company as a backup plan before the rescission of contract with the current service provider
Since the client requirements have grown disproportionally, then is a difficult to accommodate within earlier budget and timelines. The review times affected due to changes in project management structure.
The client guaranteed by a written notice, that there is no data disclosure to any third party.
The service provider can claim the total payment of the full contracted quantity according to the Puerto Rico Code of Obligations Art. 1051. Cumplimiento a costa del obligado; cosa mal hecha se deshará.(31 L.P.R.A. sec. 3015) "If I have to do something does not do, he is sent to run at their expense. This same shall if so be contrary to the tenor of the obligation. Moreover it may be ordered to dispose wrongdoing."
Because the client was negligent in failing to notify the findings of delay time, has liability arising from negligence as prescribed by the Puerto Rico Code of Obligations Art. 1056. Responsabilidad procedente de negligencia.(31 L.P.R.A. sec. 3020 "The responsibility that comes from neglect is equally required in fulfilling all the obligations, but may be moderated by the courts as appropriate."
If the customer does not cancel the contract, they could require the remaining work to be completed without additional cost to them. Otherwise, the expenses are covered by the provider, as determined by the Puerto Rico Code of Obligations Art. 1049. Entrega de cosa determinada o indeterminada; responsabilidad mientras se efectúa la entrega.(31 L.P.R.A. sec. 3013) "When it is to be delivered a certain thing, the creditor, the right under the [31 LPRA sec. 3018] of this Code, may compel the debtor to make the delivery.
If the thing be indeterminate or generic, he may ask that the obligation be fulfilled at the expense of the debtor.
If the obligor is delinquent constitutes, or is committed to delivering the same thing to two or more different people, your account will be acts of God until the delivery is made. "
A manager can take the following measures to deal and avoid the above mentioned liabilities by:
Simulation Issue Summary / Liabilities
Measures to avoid liabilities
Asserted rescission in contract based on:  low quality deliverables, and behind schedules.
·         Breach of Contract
·         Deadlines/Timelines
·         Budgeting
(University of Phoenix, 2014)
Keep track of deliverables using platforms like Microsoft Project to manage deadlines according to the terms of the contract.
This also avoids additional costs related to payroll expenses on account of delay and legal expenses if the customer violates the contract to cancel (Cheeseman, 2010).
If the threat of losing the contract, the manager must prove that the injury comes from an outside agency, for example, that the failure is due to a fortuitous event or force majeure.
The client allegedly disclosed privileged and codified information to a third party.
·         confidentiality agreement
·         secrecy agreement
·         non-disclosure
(University of Phoenix, 2014)
Businesses use confidentiality agreements to protect their products, patents and trademarks to the information about the secret techniques and use of materials not leak to competitors or the public. Particularly in technology.
If a manager suspects that the client is violating this clause of the contract, the manager should take precautionary measures to prevent the court that the client continue further efforts. This first phase was carried out to establish that a violation of the confidentiality agreement has been carried out and establish that the party making the application has experienced an "irreparable injury",
 (Cheeseman, 2010).  This is significant because demonstrate "irreparable damage" is the main provision on demand of the confidentiality agreement is based. Most agreements include language indicating that a violation automatically result in irreparable damage.
The client allegedly contacted an Indian company as a backup plan before the rescission of contract with the current service provider.
(University of Phoenix, 2014)
You cannot prevent a client use second opinions, but with the signing of a Confidentiality Agreements or Covenants, inform customers of the guidelines to follow in the treatment of confidential information, obligations and limits, may, with this measure to restrict certain practices that occur in the business world (example: carried databases or confidential or proprietary information, new product developments, etc ... at the time of leaving the work place), or if otherwise, have a document that can serve as evidence in trial that the obligation of confidentiality and secrecy is explicitly stated, and customer knowledge of such an obligation, (Cheeseman, 2010).

 A manager can benefit the Company by using the found opportunities like:
            When you experience this kind of legal situations, a manager can take advantage of the precedent for establishing the technical or organizational means to protect confidential information regardless of the medium in which it is treated or stored (Jennings, 2006).
            So you should set the following protective measures:
         Limit access to confidential information . Example: to allow access to such information only to personnel because of their position or duties is required to access this information, not allowing such access to other staff.
         Establish technical measures allowing visualization or treatment of confidential information (example, use of passwords for access to documents , encryption , etc ...) .
         Keep / Store confidential paper documents in cabinets that are closed or locked safes , to which only authorized persons have access .
         Perform backup to prevent the loss of confidential or sensitive information in disaster , keeping a copy off of the main facilities of the company.
            Finally , in relation to the protection of confidential information within the inner area of ​​the business, it should be noted that the provision of certain services accessed confidential information of others , having thus specifies an obligation of confidentiality respect to that third company, obligation of confidentiality extends to workers seeking this information , and therefore , must be expressly regulated internally, to avoid potential liabilities arising from the negligence of any employee of the company.

Identify specific legal principles each risk or opportunity is Governed by and relate the specific Measures May managers take to minimize legal risk or Opportunities to Realize These legal principles .
            During the creation of a contract , it is essential to consider what are the risks or disadvantages that this may represent the parties to be accepting it, (Jennings, 2006). Each clause must be shown clearly and specifically , to misinterpretations that can generate legal conflicts are avoided. However, in many cases it has been as though the terms seem to be clear , they are confusing and this is where differences arise . What factors should be considered when presenting and accepting a business contract ? Jennings (2006 ) , indicates that the contracts have been necessary in the business area , from which emerged the first businesses . Given this, it is necessary to take into account that each clause must have features that are attractive to all parties involved in the business.
            A manager must know and identify the criteria for a contract to be enforceable . The manager must know what are those elements that are (Jennings, 2006) : capacity , consent or agreement , the subject and the cause. The agreement or consent explains that there must be an agreement between both parties. The cause is understood the cause for which is held the contract. The contractual capacity of the parties explained that they cannot be applied against parties that lacked contractual capacity when they entered into a contract. After learning these parts , you should compare his contract situation with the client to determine how to apply the legal principles that apply.
Evaluate the alternatives presented to That Were resolve the problems in the simulation . Explain Which approach is best for Puerto Rican businesses and why .
            Contracts have been necessary in business since the business began . These allow companies have money, supplies and services. Contracts are private business law , the parties develop their own set of laws through their contracts. These by-laws may be applied by the courts in all states (Jennings , 2006). It is very important to read and understand a contract before accepting its terms. During the negotiation process can make changes or add , but once the contract is signed and agreed the deal is closed .
            The Puerto Rico Civil Code Section 1213 establishes the requirements of the contract (31 LPRA 3391 sec . ) But there is no contract when the following requirements: 1 ) consent of the parties, 2) some object that is subject of the contract and 3) Cause of the obligation which is established.
            Simulation on Creation and Management Contract serves to highlight the importance of reviewing all current and new trade agreements , to avoid misunderstandings. Should review and consider the contract before reaching an agreement to ensure that the contract is beneficial to both parties .
            Span System and Citizen- Schwarz AG signed a one- year, six million dollars , however , the agreements stipulated in the contract have not been able to meet as scheduled (University of Phoenix, 2014) . Mr. Leon Ther , one of the most influential negotiators Citizen- Schwarz AG, has threatened to cancel the contract because it understands that it is unacceptable product quality . After several meetings of negotiations failed to amend certain terms of the contract and agree . This agreement was of great benefit to both parties and that litigation was avoided in the courts, which had been one extremely expensive .

References
Cheeseman, Henry R. (2010) Business Law, Legal Environment, Online Commerce, Business
Ethics, and Interrnational Issues, Seventh Edition Chapter 1, Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Prentice-Hall    
Jennings, Marianne M. Business Ethics: Case Studies and Selected Readings. Cincinnati: West,
            3rd ed., 2006.
Puerto Rico Civil Code Art. 1213 Requirements of Contracting (31 L.P.R.A. sec. 3391)
Puerto Rico Code of Obligations Art. 1051. Cumplimiento a costa del obligado; sobrecosa mal hecha se 
             deshará.(31 L.P.R.A. sec. 3015)
University of Phoenix, USA - Contract Creation and Management Simulation,
www.phoenix.edu , Retrieved on January 25, 2014

Recognizing and Minimizing Tort and Regulatory Risk



The following essay is a prevention plan for Alumina Company grievances. It explains the regulatory risks, and torts such as tort liability and litigation, identified and managed through preventive, detective, and corrective measures, using the table of legal issues and principles developed in the Learning Team. The plan clearly identifies common torts and other regulatory risks, as considered in the readings, and describes specific measures to manage those risks (University of Phoenix, 2014).
Business Regulation Simulation Findings Table

Simulation Component

Issues
Principles
Mr. Lloyd wants us to immediately take charge of the damage control exercise.
Download, deposit or infiltrate wastewater, liquid chemicals, waste or contaminants in soils, rivers and marine waters, in streams of jurisdiction and cause harm to public health.
Crime against the environment that is sanctioned by the existence of environmental legislation.
The Erehwon Reporter newspaper insists to keep the case alive.
EPA notified the information disclosure under FOIA.
Allow partial release of the environmental audit report.
Bates started a lawsuit against our Company.
Senior management needs to respond with a strategic method.
Seek American Arbitration Associations intervention in resolving the dispute through alternative means.

According to EPA, a program of pollution prevention is a detailed operation of an industry in order to minimize all waste study. Includes:
·         Reduce the risk of civil and criminal liability.
·         Reduce operating costs
·         Enhance the company image in the community.
·         Protect public health and the environment
The program of pollution prevention in industry can be achieved through two methods of waste minimization at source: changes in output and changes in production processes (Benavides, 1992). The product changes include changes in the composition of the product to reduce the volume and toxicity of waste during the product life cycle. Changes in the process include various modifications of the product to minimize the amount of waste generated in the production.
Social Responsibility and Legal Liability for Crimes of ecological order
The man lives and grows in the environment (planet earth) and many times by their unconscious act causes deterioration in the various elements of the planet, such as the atmosphere, water resources (rivers and oceans), soil and other living species, both animal and vegetable. According to Case, Mendocino and Tomas, among the influential factors or causes of ecological problems and their effects are:
·         Lack of technical recuperative environment
·         Lack of technical and environmental recovery measures
·         Diversion and stream sedimentation
·         Contamination with chemicals and other substances
·         Destruction of the soil and subsoil
·         Hunting and overfishing
·         accelerated extinction of living species
·         Increasing population and consumption
·         Waste and Solid Waste
The Organic Law is a systematized and legal principle, domestic and international standards governing set human activity in its interaction with ecosystems and the environment by establishing appropriate conservation and protection measures so as not to compromise the expectations of future generations (Freeman, 1995).
Internationally, the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, held in Stockholm in 1972, highlights the environmental protection as a matter of relations between nations, but it is from the 1st Conference on Environment and United Nations development held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, the Agenda 21 document that guides or fixed for all members activities on the environment must be met to achieve sustainable development is adopted (Peña-Chacón, 2005).
          All environmental liability regimes should be based on the principles of environmental law “Polluter Payer”, “Preventative”, “precautionary” and “Correction to the source." The purpose of the scheme is always preventive , deterrent , compensatory repressive , forcing the polluter or degrading to restore and compensate if any damage , meaning that the compensable injury must necessarily be significant , since not all changes in the quality or amount of natural resources should be considered damage and lead to liability.
          Its effectiveness is subject to clearly identify the polluter, the quantification of the damage occurred agent, and the establishment of the link between cause - effect the damage occurred and the alleged creator of the agent. Course will work best in cases where the source of contamination is identifiable (industrial accidents) and loses its effectiveness in cases of widespread pollution of a diffuse character , where it is impossible to link the negative effects on the environment with the activities of certain agents ( effects climate change or acid rain) .
          The goal will always be to ensure the damaged environment decontamination , restoration as far as possible to the situation before the harmful event , and compensation to individuals who suffer impairment both patrimonial and extra equity in their individual rights.
          In terms of environmental responsibility, does not apply responsibility opinion character, that is, one in which the victim must prove the causal link (defaults to a duty of care) between the action of a harmful agent and the damage suffered. Instead, operates strict liability , in which, the mere existence of the damage said to be the responsibility of the agent have been the cause of it, and therefore the responsibility for compensating the damages caused by his conduct . In this type of liability is not necessary to prove fault of the actor, but only that the act or omission caused the injury. Thus, the damaging agent assumes all damages resulting from its activities, or complies with the standard of care (Peña-Chacón, 2005).
          All liability regimes, especially in environmental matters must contemplate request by the complainant precautionary measures. Precautionary measures loom large in the implementation of environmental law, due to the inherent complexity of the environmental damage. Preventive and precautionary principle is a living example of the relevance in this matter preventing harm to the environment (Benavides, 1992). Precautionary measures in general, and especially in the case of preventing environmental damage should not be taxable, which authorizes judges to make those necessary for each specific case, thus being able to innovate and create protective measures, provided they meet two requirements fundamental case or the probability or likelihood judgment and periculum in arrears or damage assessment difficult or impossible to repair.
According to EPA, in the final resolution of the special administrative procedure may be applied the following protective measures and sanctions:
·         Notice by notice that there is a claim.
·         Reprimand commensurate with the gravity of the violations and once verified.
·         Implementation of the performance bond, issued in the EIA .
·         Restrictions, partial or total, or order of immediate cessation of acts or events causing the complaint.
·         Closing , total or partial , temporary or permanent , of the acts or events causing the complaint
·          Total, permanent or temporary partial cancellation, permits, patents, or local businesses that cause the complaint, the act or fact contaminating or destructive.
·         Imposition of countervailing duties or stabilizing the environment or biodiversity.
·         Alteration or demolition of buildings or works that harm the environment.
·         Alternatives compensation penalty, such as receiving formal educational courses on environmental issues also work in community works in the area of ​​environment.
The environment is a legal right of common or collective nature, where their degradation affects all the subjects that make up the community and the community itself. Therefore, once the damage occurred, and depending on the intensity, extent, timing and persistence, the same may be reversible or irreversible. Hence the importance of precautionary measures for environmental law, for the irreversible environmental damage brings dire consequences for the ecological balance.

References
Benavides L. "Residuos peligrosos en empresas de pequeña escala. UMP/UNCHS, CEPIS
"Divulgación técnica"1992.
Case, Laurie; Mendocino, Laura; y Tomas, David. "Developing and Maintaining a Pollution
Prevention Program, In: Industrial Pollution Prevention "Handbook. Harry M. Freeman, ed. New York, McGraw-Hill, Inc. 1995.
Freeman, Harry M., Industrial Prevention Handbook. ed. New York,: Mc. Graw Hill, Inc. 1995.
Peña Chacón, Mario. La nueva directiva comunitaria sobre responsabilidad ambiental en relación
con la prevención y reparación de los daños ambientales y su relación con los regímenes latinoamericanos de responsabilidad ambiental, Revista Lex Difusión y Análisis, año IX, febrero 2005, número 116, México.
Retrieved on January 22, 2014
U.S. EPA. Facility Pollution Prevention Guide, EPA/600/R-92/088. Washington, D.C., 1992.
Retrieved on January 18, 2014
U.S. EPA. Waste Minimization: Environmental Quality with Economic Benefits.
EPA/530-SW-
87-026. Washington,D.C.,1987 Retrieved on January 18, 2014