Legal Briefs
Title and Citation: Suggs v. Norris. No. 364 S.E. 2nd 159. Court of Appeals North Carolina. 2 February 1988
Type of Action: Civil and Contractual
Facts of the Case: Darlene Suggs cohabited with Norris, but remained unmarried. During their time together she worked with him as a partner in his produce business and, according to witnesses, was quite instrumental in the success of said business. Suggs also took care of Norris during his last years when he suffered he effects of chronic alcoholism. When Norris died, his heirs gave Suggs nothing.
Contentions of the Parties: Suggs sued the Norris estate for breach of implied contract. Norris' estate argues that any contract is void because cohabiting is against public...
The Court of Appeals upheld the verdict.
Reasoning: The issue was not one implying sexual relations or cohabitation, but whether there was an implied contract between Norris and Suggs. Since there was ample evidence of this implication, as well as Suggs' expertise and ability to prove her value n the business, the contract between them was assured. The Court upheld that there were enough facts in the original trial or the Jury to make an informed decision and there were enough indications for an implied contract between Suggs and Norris.
Rule of Law: Implied contracts are enforceable in numerous circumstances, regardless of…
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