The term Modelling is not novel or alien to everyone because it has grown to become a household name.  A model is a person with a role either to promote, display or advertise commercial products (notably fashion clothing in fashion shows)  or to serve as a visual aid for people who are creating works of art or to pose for photography.

A perusal of this topic will ascertain whether there is a valid contract in modelling;  are the elements of a valid contract there in modelling?  Types of modelling contract and the remedies available for breach of modelling contract?

In the case of BEST (NIG)  LTD V B. H (NIG)  LTD (2011)5 NWLR PT 1239 P. 95@127–the Supreme Court defined Contract to mean a legally binding agreement between two or more persons by which rights are acquired by the party in return for acts or forbearances on the part of the other. In the basis of requirements of a valid Modelling contract, there must be an offer, an unqualified acceptance of that offer and a legal consideration for a contract to exist. Indeed, there must be a mutuality of purpose and intention between the two contracting parties.P.T.F. v. W.P.C. Ltd. (2007) 14 NWLR (Pt. 1055) 478 at 502.

Advertisement of form and invitation of models by Modelling Agency to participate in a modelling contest is not an offer that will lead to a contract.  It is merely an invitation to treat. An invitation to treat is not an offer that can be accepted to lead to an agreement or contract and therefore cannot form the basis of any cause of action–BPS CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING CO. LTD v. FCDA (2017) LPELR-SC.293/2011. The essence of an invitation to treat is that by it the supposed offeror is merely initiating a negotiation from which an agreement might or might not in time result. The negotiation crystallizes into an offer properly when one of the parties who thus becomes the offeror finally assumes a definite and unshifting position of preparedness to be bound if the other party accepts.

An offer in modelling is made when the model approaches the Modelling agency to purchase the form for the contest or indicate interest to participate in the modelling role they advertised for.  This offer from the models must be unequivocal, precise and in tandem with the advertisement made. The offer can be communicated orally or in writing. For an offer to be valid, it must be precise and unequivocal, giving no room for speculation or conjuncture as to its real contend in the mind of the offeree.  The offer may be verbal, written or even implied from the conduct of the offeror. The offeree has the option of acceptance or outright rejection of the offer. RABILU v. USMAN (2016) LPELR-CA/K/268/2009. An offer is the commencement of a contract. Where there is no valid offer, no other ingredient of a contract can be built on it–OGUNNIYI v. HON. MINISTER OF FCT & ANOR (2014) LPELR-CA/A/320/2009. “…when an offer is made, it must be accepted first before a contractual agreement can come into being –

An acceptance must be without equivocation, qualification or addition to the terms of the offer.  Acceptance of an offer must be communicated either by the offeree himself or by his duly authorized agent. In the case of THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA & ORS. V. ZEBRA ENERGY LTD (2002) LPELR-SC.268/2001–Acceptance of an offer may be demonstrated by the conduct of the parties as well as by their words or by documents that have passed between them.

A modelling agency or a model can reject an offer and once this is done,  it puts an end to an offer and makes it incapable of acceptance. It can be by a direct intentional refusal or by a counter offer.  Also, if an offer is stated to be open for a fixed time for the models or modelling agency,  it clearly cannot be accepted after that time has expired. Then,  if no time is stated in the offer, then the offer lapses after a reasonable time.

Consideration is an essential element in the formation of modelling contract.  The consideration is furnished by the party making the contract,  it can be the modelling agency to the model or the model to the modelling agency or even a company to a modelling agency.  Consideration must be sufficient but need not be adequate,  since it is a price,  it must be something real and in most cases cash as observed in modelling. Consideration must move from the promisee but not necessarily to the promisor. The person to whom a promise was made can only enforce that promise if he himself provided the consideration for it.  He cannot sue if the consideration for the promise moved from a third party.

Contractual capacity of parties in modelling Contract is essential, absence of contractual capacity makes the contract not to have any validity in law.  Apart from defects strictly speaking,  a modelling contract may not be enforceable against certain categories of people who enjoy special status in contractual transactions.  This privilege is intended as protection for people who because of their circumstances, can easily be exploited or defrauded in the making of contracts.  This protected group includes infants,  persons of unsound mind or lunatics,  drunken persons and illiterates.

It is pertinent to note that in a modelling contracts,  there must be an intention to create legal relations.  The only form of agreement which gives rise to contractual obligation is one which is made in such a way or in circumstances which justify a conclusion that a commitment has been made. Even where valuable consideration is present, an agreement will not become a binding contract unless it is intended by the parties to it that it would give rise to legal relations.  An intention to create legal relations in modelling can be expressly stated or implied.  Where it is not expressly stated,  the test to discover whether it exist is that of a reasonable man.

There are several types of models which include but not limited to Runway models showcase clothes from fashion designers, fashion media, and consumers. They are also called “live models” and are self-employed. Fitness modelling focuses on displaying a healthy, toned physique. Fitness models usually have defined muscle groups. Plus-size models are models who generally have larger measurements than editorial fashion models. The primary use of plus-size models is to appear in advertising and runway shows for plus-size labels. Also there is Fashion modelling. How Long a Modeling Contracts Last depends on the type of contract, but usually, it’s anywhere from one to five years. It’s also important to note that modelling contracts don’t magically end on their expiry date. Usually, they automatically renew unless the model provide the agency with the proper termination notice usually 30 – 60 days written notice.

A modeling agency is a company that represents fashion models , to work for the fashion industry. These agencies earn their income via commission, usually from the deal they make with the model and/or the head agency.

Types of Modelling Contracts includes:

Modelling contracts are what bind an individual person in the modelling industry to a client or company and this comes with the usual terms and conditions necessary to remain under the contractual agreement.  There are different types of contracts and obligations based on these agreements between parties.  There are four types of modelling contracts that a person may sign with:

Mother Agency Contracts

A mother agency (or mother agent) is the one you first begin working with. They’re the agency that helps you learn the industry and build your portfolio, and that gives you the guidance you need to succeed as a model. Mother agencies are often smaller, local modeling agencies. This happens to be the most popular of all modelling contract because it is mainly for novice and amateur models.

Nonexclusive Contracts

A nonexclusive contract gives models the power to sign with as many agencies as they want and possibly find their own non-agency side jobs. This is more common for commercial models than the high fashion or editorial models. You might not get as many opportunities or as much guidance with an nonexclusive agency as you would with an exclusive one, but this type of contract does offer models a lot of freedom. If the modeling agency finds you work then they get paid a commission. And if you find work on your own, you owe them nothing.

Exclusive Contracts

When you sign an exclusive contract with a modelling agency, you can only be represented by that agency for the duration of the contract. Sometimes there are exceptions—the term “exclusive” may be limited by time, geography, or type of modeling—but if you’re working with a top agency like Ford or Wilhelmina Models, then it means you can’t sign with anyone else without their permission.

This type of contract gives a lot of power to the modeling agency, so if you’re considering signing an exclusive contract it’s even more important to make sure you’re working with a reputable modeling agency that has your best interests at heart.

One-Time-Only Contracts

This type of contract is only good for a single booking. As soon as the project is complete, the contract ends.

Remedies for Breach of  Modelling Contract

Every breach of Modelling contract entitles the innocent party to sue for damages.  In the case of OBAJIMI V ADEDIJI (2007) ALL FWLR (PT 394) 335 @ 349 — A breach of contract is committed when a party to the contract without lawful excuse, fails, neglects or refuses to perform an obligation he undertook in the contract or either perform an obligation or incapacitates himself from performing the contract.

  1. Damages: In the case of STEPHENSON STANDARD COMPANY LTD v. YIFA NIGERIA LTD (2012) LPELR-CA/L/297/2007- There are a number of remedies available for breach of modelling contract; the most common being the award of damages. Damages is the payment of compensation for non performance.An order for Damages presupposes the existence of a valid and subsisting contract to which the party wronged is entitled to pecuniary compensation.

The essence of damages in breach of a modelling contract case is based in restitutio in integrum, that is the amount of damages to be paid to the party wronged by the breach is the amount of damages necessary to put the party wronged and aggrieved in the position he would have been had there been no breach. When an action for damages is brought upon for a breach of a modelling contract,  two important questions are involved: The remoteness of damage and measure of damages.

  1. Specific Performance : In the case of TOYOTA (NIG) LTD V. MICHELIN (NIG) LTD & ORS (2018) LPELR-CA/PH/584/2013– The law is trite that the remedy of specific performance is the execution of a contract according to its terms. An Order of specific performance is an equitable remedy granted to a successful litigant constraining the losing party to carry out or fulfill his own part of the agreement which he had entered into with the successful litigant like all equitable remedies, it is at the discretion of the Court but the discretion must be exercised judicially according to settled rules and principles…To bring an action for specific performance for modelling contract presupposes the existence of valid and subsisting contract and therefore the insistence that it should be performed. An Order of specific performance will not be granted where a remedy in damages is adequate.
  2. Rescission: The right of rescission is an equitable and it is also available in modelling Contract in a number of circumstances. Rescission is available to a party injured by breach of a vital or fundamental stipulation in contract, e.g. condition.  Rescission is also available to a party induced to enter into a modelling contract by the misrepresentation of the other party.  Rescission is available where a modelling contract is vitiated by mistake, fraud,  undue influence or any other invalidating factor.
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