Today in History: Substantial Performance

On this date, January 25, 1921, the New York Court of Appeals decides, on a 4-3 vote, the case of Jacob & Youngs v. Kent, 230 N.Y. 239, 129 N.E. 889 (1921), and launches the doctrine of “substantial performance” into American contract casebooks.

It’s one of Cardozo’s best-known contracts decisions.  More info on Kent’s house and the case is available in a previous post here.

[Frank Snyder]