Although the concepts of indemnity (repayment) and pledge (assurance) differ
on a few points, they are both payment systems with similar values. This paper
examines the similarities and differences between the two.
Under Section 124 of the Indian Contract Act of 1872, indemnity is an obligation
to hold a meeting repaid in the event of misfortune. A guarantee allows an
individual to obtain credit for goods or services in exchange for a valid
consideration. An indemnity agreement has two parties with primary
responsibility, while a warranty agreement has three parties with fluctuating
liabilities. There are a few other comparisons, such as a guarantee having a
sweeping law or a repayment that evolves on a regular basis.
Indemnity (Reimbursement) and Guarantee (Assurance) are cut from the same
cloth—this means that restitution and assurance differ on a number of points
while being comparable on the subject of remuneration and on basic values such
as unjust enrichment (treacherous enhancement) and good faith.
Regardless of their basic similarities, indemnity (reimbursement) agreements are
fundamentally different from guarantee agreements (assurance). We'll start by
defining what repayment and guarantee entail. Then we'll look at the differences
and similarities between indemnity and warranty (assurance and repayment).
Indemnity
Indemnity literally means "defense from loss" or "doing to reward or shield
someone from loss or make good on a loss." A contract of indemnity is
essentially where one party guarantees to another that if the latter takes a
loss, the first will pay the latter. It's specified in section 124 of the Indian
Contract Act of 1872, which is found in Chapter VIII of Indemnity and Guarantee.
A contract of indemnity is described as "a contract under which one party agrees
to save the other from loss caused to him by the promisor's actions or the
conduct of some other individual." [1].
For example, A may agree to indemnify B from the effects of any legal action
taken by C against B in relation to an amount of Rs. 400. This is an indemnity
contract.
According to Halsbury, an indemnity is an express or implicit obligation that
protects a person who has entered or is supposed to enter into a contract or
suffer some other responsibility against harm, regardless of whether a third
party defaults. [2]
In the broadest meaning, it refers to a monetary reward for any misfortune or
liability that one person has incurred, regardless of whether the obligation to
compensate stems from a contract or not.
Indemnifier is the one who promises to indemnify. Indemnified or indemnified
holder refers to the party in whose favor such a promise is made.
Under Indian law, an indemnity does not cover a promise to pay for losses not
caused by the Human Agency. So, the presence of the Human Agency is the utmost
prerequisite of the concept of indemnity. This means that the statute does not
protect the definition of insurance; in reality, insurance law is protected by
the contingent arrangement.
As a result, under Indian law, the principle of indemnity does not apply to
insurers. Aside from Contract of Life Insurance, human tragedy, and affliction,
all defence deals entitle the promise of compensation for actual misfortune that
is proven to have been suffered by him.
The insured will only demand restitution of the misfortune to the extent that it
is established, not exceeding the amount stipulated in the arrangement of
security, which specifies the external furthest reaches of the insurance
agency's risk.
The below are some of the features
- two parties
- A promise made by one party to another to protect them from harm.
- The promisor or another individual may be the cause of the loss.
- It's a natural occurrence.
- Complete all contract requirements.
The arrangement of indemnity is not uberrimae fidei, which means that all
parties to a security deal must negotiate in accordance with common courtesy,
and the promisee cannot demand restitution until and until he has suffered any
loss.
Life insurance, for example, is not called a contract of indemnity since the
worth of one's life cannot be measured, because if the liability is not
predictable, a contract of indemnity would not occur. Adamson was entitled to
reclaim the money he had to pay to the rightful owner of the cattle in the case
of
Adamson v Jarvis.[3]
Indemnified or Indemnity Holder Rights: ICA Sec. 125
He has a right of compensation from the indemnifier.
- In any suit, he must pay all damages.
- Any and all expenses he will incur.
- Whatever sums he may have had to pay as part of a settlement.
Indemnifier's Rights:
- Rights under the Subrogation Doctrine.
- After indemnifying the indemnity holder, suing a third party.
- Not to pay for damages not protected by the indemnity contract.
Guarantee
The simple definition of a guarantee is an obligation to provide for payment or
performance; thus, a contract of guarantee is a commitment to fulfil a pledge or
discharge a third party's responsibility in the event of his default. It is made
up of the principal debtor, the creditor, and the surety all existing at the
same time.
The surety is the one who provides the assurance. In the event of default, the
principal debtor is the individual to whom the assurance is given. The person to
whom the guarantee is given is known as the creditor. A pledge may be written or
given orally. An arrangement of assurance's purpose is to enable a person to
obtain a commodity advance through the use of a loan or a job.
Without valid consideration, a guarantee deal is nullified.[4]
A arrangement to perform a promise or discharge the liabilities of a third party
in the event of default, according to S. 126. [5]
For example, A obtains a bank loan. A guarantee to the bank that the loan will
be repaid. B even promises the bank that if A does not pay back the loan, "then
I will pay." The Principal Debtor in this case is a, the surety is B, and the
borrower is the bank.
The below are the essential elements of a guarantee contract:
Tripartite Agreement:
A assurance arrangement involves three parties: the principal trustee, the
creditor, and the surety. There must be three different arrangements between
the three parties in order for an assurance deal to be successful, and each
contract must be consenting.
Existence of Responsibility:
The principal debtor bears the majority of the liability. The surety is
responsible for secondary responsibility, which can only be included if the
primary debtor fails to pay.
Essentials of a Valid Contract:
It preserves free agreement, respect, lawful purpose, and competency of
contracting parties as to the essentials of a valid contract, much like
every other general contract.
Contract Medium:
The Indian Contract Act, 1872, does not specifically state that a contract
or guarantee must be in writing. It would be appropriate in both oral and
written form.
Difference Between Indemnity And Guarantee
- Number of Parties:
A bank loan, for example, has three parties: the creditor, the principal
debtor, and the surety, while an indemnity bond only has two parties: the
indemnifier and the indemnity holder.
- Number of Contracts:
There is only one guarantee or contract in an indemnity agreement: the
promise to pay if a loss happens. There are many guarantees in a pledge
deal, for example, between the principal debtor and the borrower, the
creditor and the surety, and an implied contract between the principal
debtor and the surety.
- Nature:
An indemnity contract is for the repayment of a liability, while a warranty
contract is for the creditor's protection or confirmation.
- Liability:
In a contract of indemnity, the indemnifier's obligation is main (Fire
Insurance), while in a contract of guarantee, the claimant is first, and the
surety assumes secondary liability since the customer is main liable in
default of payment, and the surety assumes secondary liability after that.
- Object:
In a contract of indemnity, such as Fire Insurance, the intention is to
protect the other party against an unknown potential occurrence, while in a
contract of promise, the purpose is to notify the other party of the
fulfilment of a duty.
- Variety:
A contract of indemnity has a narrow scope because it excludes contracts of
guarantee, while a contract of guarantee has a broader scope because it
contains a contract of indemnity.
- Consideration:
At the start of the deal, indemnifiers receive consideration from the
indemnity buyer, such as a premium in the case of fire insurance. Surety, on
the other hand, receives little attention. The surety is just concerned with
the principal debtor's projected profit.
- Existence of liability:
The contingency inherent in indemnity is the probability or danger of
causing a catastrophe over which the indemnifier chooses to indemnify; for
example, in fire insurance, liability will be paid only if a fire occurs,
which is uncertain; while in warranty, the surety guarantees the fulfilment
of an established debt or responsibility.
- Subrogation:
Under a bond of indemnity, the indemnifier cannot sue a third party for the
damages paid until they have the legal right to do so. If the surety has
discharged the creditor's liability, he has the right to sue the principal
debtor in his own name, putting himself in the shoes of the principal
debtor.
- Discharge:
The indemnifier is not actually released until the people on which the
indemnity was granted are released. It is not mandatory for the fire
insurance provider to be cleared of any liability after paying compensation.
The surety is released from his obligation until the principal debtor is
released, for example, when the surety pays the bank the money owed.
- Parties' interests:
The indemnifier has an interest in the contract other than indemnity, such
as commission, while the surety has no other interest.
- Forms:
There are no types of indemnity contracts, but there are two types of
assurance contracts: basic and ongoing guarantee.
The disparity between assurance and indemnity was distinctly evident in a case
study between
Punjab National Bank Ltd. v. Bikram Cotton Mills and Anr[6]
and
Gajan Moreshwar vs. Moreshwar Madan.[7] In the Punjab National Bank
situation, there were three parties, while in Gajan Moreshwar, there were just
two. Moreshwar Madan was the indemnifier in this case, so he was the only one
responsible for repaying the revenue, while in the Punjab National Bank case,
The primary liability holder is the debtor, which is the first respondent
corporation, while the secondary liability holder is the surety, which is the
respondent.
The Privy Council held in the case of Gajan Moreshwar that the indemnity holder
has privileges in addition to those set out in the parts. The indemnity holder
will petition the indemnifier to discharge the liability if he has incurred any
guilt, and the Privy Council ordered Moreshwar Madan to discharge the liability
of the indemnity holder, Gajan Moreshwar. While there was no risk in the case of
Punjab National Bank, there is an ongoing obligation to pay debts as mentioned
in the guarantee pages.
As a result, regardless of the existence of liability, the principal debtor and
surety must repay the creditor's debts. Since it is a bond of indemnity, Gajan
Moreshwar cannot blame K.D. Mohan in the
Gajan Moreshwar case. He has no
choice but to prosecute Moreshwar Madan. However, in the Punjab National Bank
case, the surety may be sued in addition to the principal debtor. The duty was
absolute in this case.
There are indemnity arrangements that do not come under the scope of S 124,125,
according to the ruling. Contracts of indemnity will be applied even though the
indemnified has suffered no real injury, as long as the contract of indemnity
covers an absolute fault of the form protected by the contract of indemnity.
The court determined in
Lala Shanti Swarup vs Munshi Singh & Others[8]
that the sold property is merely an implicit contract of indemnity, with a cause
of action occurring when the property is Actually Damnified (Mortgage decree
being passed does not amount to actual damnification).
Similarities
Assurances and reimbursements have a number of characteristics in common.
Furthermore, as all factors are weighed, comparative responsibilities and rights
emerge between the gatherings. This will hold sway, particularly during the hour
of waiting for the understanding to be approved. Repayment and guarantee
arrangements have certain common features.
Each arrangement stipulates that one party will pay in exchange for a genuine
concern for the other. Individuals and organizations alike use each of these
types of agreements as a buffer against adversity.
Another similarity worth noting is that they cannot be used to enrich themselves
unfairly.
When comparing
Punjab National Bank Ltd. v. Bikram Cotton Mills and Anr and
Gajan Moreshwar vs. Moreshwar Madan, it can be seen that both a guarantee
and an indemnity was used to reimburse the creditor and indemnity holder, and
that the principal debtor and surety in the Punjab National Bank case, as well
as the indemnifier, had promised to pay to make good the loan.
Case Laws
Adamson vs. Jarvis: The appellant, who worked as the auctioneer, traded
livestock on the defendant's orders. It was later discovered that the cattle
sold did not belong to the appellant, but rather to someone else, making the
auctioneer (plaintiff) responsible for the conversion. In exchange, the
auctioneer sued the defendant over indemnification for the losses and damages he
incurred when working on the defendant's orders. The complainant had acted on
the defendant's request and was right to assume that he would be compensated if
anything went wrong, according to the court. As a result, the defendant was
ordered to compensate the appellant for his losses and damages.
Osman Jamal and Sons Ltd. vs. Gopal Purshottam:
The plaintiff's firm was in between of liquidation, and the legal liquidator was
representing them. For the acquisition and selling of such products, the
defendant firm's commission agent was served by the plaintiffs firm. In
addition, the defendant corporation was required to hold the plaintiff party
harmless against all losses and damages arising from the agreement. Since the
defendant company did not obtain the delivery, the seller resold the merchandise
at a lower price in comparison of the contract price. As a result, the
plaintiff filed a lawsuit to recover the money. The appellant won the case,
according to the judge.
Gajanan Moreshwar Parelkar v Moreshwar Madan Mantri:
The appellant executed two mortgages in favour of Mohandas at the defendant's
request. Defendant promised to hold the claimant harmless against all mortgagee
suits and to enforce a new mortgage in place of the previous two (by the means
of a letter). Plaintiff requested a release of liability.
The plaintiff's responsibility was absolute, and the indemnified may demand
performance of the indemnity contract without having incurred any actual
damages. Sections 124 and 125 were considered to be inapplicable since the
transaction was not used.
Lala Shanti Swarup vs Munshi Singh & Others:
The plaintiff sold an encumbered estate to the defendant, who promised to
make required payments against a mortgage to the mortgagee, but failed to do so,
resulting in the plaintiff losing a third of their land. According to the
appellant, he was bound by an implied guarantee. The following concerns arose:
was there a guarantee contract? Was there a presumption of limitations on the
lawsuit?
It was decided that a conveyance bearing a covenant requiring the purchaser to
pay off encumbrances on the sold property is nothing more than an implied
indemnity agreement, with the court of action occurring only until the indemnity
is paid.(A mortgage decree is not the same as real indemnification.)
Liverpool Mortgage Insurance Co.’s Re: “Indemnity does not simply mean to refund
in respect of the moneys charged, but to save from the damage in respect of the
debt against which the indemnity has been granted so otherwise indemnity could
be worth very little if the indemnity-holder is not able to compensate in the
first instance,” Kennedy LJ noted in Liverpool Mortgage Insurance Co.'s Re.
Oriental fire and general insurance co. v Savoy Solvent Oil Extractions Ltd: A
life insurance policy, on the other hand, is not an indemnity deal, and it
contains a number of variables. A life insurance policy, for example, may
provide for the payment of a specified sum of money upon the death of a person
or the end of a specified period of time (even if the insured is still alive).
In this case, the matter of the amount of loss suffered by the assured, or
indemnity for the same, does not arise. Furthermore, even if a certain payment
is due in the event of suicide, where a person's life cannot be valued, the
whole amount insured becomes due. As a consequence, it is not an indemnity
agreement.
Basic Comparison Of English Law And Indian Law
Although the concept of indemnity and guarantee was introduced by the British
government when India was a colony under the British empire, as shown by various
case laws and court rulings, there were significant differences between the two
ideas of indemnity and guarantee in common law in the United Kingdom and India.
Finally, the only difference I saw in the indemnity contract clauses was that
indemnity in English law differs from indemnity in Indian law in that English
law is expansive enough to encompass damages incurred by fire and sea peril,
while Indian law does not. Furthermore, the mistake must be caused by a human
agent, such as the promisor himself or the behavior of another person, according
to Indian law.
Damage caused by a natural calamity and the promisor are both covered by English
statute, but no damage caused by a third party is.
A minor cannot be held liable in English law because the contract is void from
the start, even though the person believed he was a minor at the time of
contracting; however, in Indian law, if a minor has been knowingly promised, the
surety can be held liable as a principal debtor.
Furthermore, a contract of guarantee in the United Kingdom must be written in
accordance with the Frauds Act, while in India, it may be both oral and written.
Research Questions
- What is the meaning of the words "indemnity" and "guarantee"?
- What are the differences and parallels between indemnity and guarantee
contracts?
- What are the basic differences between Indemnity and Guarantee In
English Law and Indian Law?
Conclusion
In the end, the guarantor can't be in any more trouble than the buyer. If the
surety's obligations are to be behind the principal and then come out after a
commitment between the principal and the investor has been violated, the
document will be interpreted as a pledge. The dedication is incidental and
reflexive in nature.A repayment increases in response to a case, while an
assurance grows in response to an outsider's default.
An indemnity, on the other hand, allows for simultaneous obligations with the
principal notwithstanding the fact that there isn't any good need to look at the
principal first. In general, it is an obligation between the surety and the
borrower that the surety will indemnify the lender from all losses resulting
from the principal-lender agreement. A warranty, in most cases, covers a
liability that is distinct from the principal's.
In most cases, a promise includes a far-reaching commitment in addition to the
principal's. After all, the guarantor can't be held liable for anything more
than the customer. If the surety's obligations are to "remain behind" the
principal and then come to the fore until a commitment between the principal and
the lender is violated, the document can be seen as a pledge.
The dedication is incidental and reflexive in nature. An indemnity arises in the
case of an occurrence, while a warranty arises in the event of a third-party
default.
As a result, we've discussed what indemnity and warranty are and how they vary,
such as the number of people involved and the essence of the risks involved, as
well as the minor but important variations between how they operate and in
principle between the two. As a result, while there are certain parallels
between promise and indemnity, they are fundamentally different in nature.
As a result, contracts of indemnity and contracts of promise can be classified
as items that have the same function but have different characteristics. We will
see two different clauses of the same act due to their technical variations.
However, upon closer inspection, they have the same function as ensuring that
participants in commercial deals are not duped.
Though choice for either alternative is highly individualistic and dependent on
the parties' wishes and circumstances. In general, these are legal requirements
that facilitate trading practices and put parties to the same bargaining power
level.
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