Lucy v. Zehmer Case Brief

Lucy v Zehmer Case Summary

Plaintiff: W.O. Lucy and J.C. Lucy
Defendants: A.H. Zehmer and Ida S. Zehmer

STATEMENT OF THE CASE

Zehmer, the seller (Defendant), writes a contract to sell land on a napkin and when the buyer, Lucy (Plaintiff), tries to enforce it, sellers claims he was only joking.

PROCEDURAL HISTORY
1. Lower court found for sellers
2. VA Supreme Court reversed, found for buyers, contract valid.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

• Mr. Zehmer and his wife were the longtime owners of a piece of land known as the Ferguson Farm. A man named Mr Lucy knew Mr. Zehmer and mentioned his interest in purchasing the farm more than once.
• In fact, Mr. Lucy once offered Mr. Zehmer $20,000 for the farm, which he accepted, but the deal fell through when Mr. Zehmer eventually backed out.
• Undeterred, one night Mr. Lucy entered a restaurant owned by Mr. Zehmer and attempted again to purchase the Ferguson Farm.
• The two parties had a few drinks together, and after a verbal exchange that would later be characterized differently by the two sides, signed a contract for the sale and purchase of the farm for $50,000.

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