Mr. Sooraj promises Mr. Manoj to paint a family picture for ` 20,000 and assures to complete his assignment by 15th March, 2023. Unfortunately, Mr. Sooraj died in a road accident on 1st March, 2023 and his assignment remains undone. Can Mr. Manoj bind the legal representative of Mr. Sooraj for the promise made by Mr. Sooraj? Suppose Mr. Sooraj had promised to deliver some photographs to Mr. Manoj on 15th March, 2023 against a payment of ` 10,000 but he dies before that day. Will his representative be bound to deliver the photographs in this situation? Decide as per the provisions of the Indian Contract Act, 1872.

The parties to a contract must either perform, or offer to perform, their respective promises, unless such performance is dispensed with or excused under the provisions of this Act, or of any other law. Promises bind the representatives of the promisors in case of the death of such promisors before performance, unless a contrary intention appears from the contract. (Section 37 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872). As per the provisions of Section 40 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872, if it appears from the nature of the case that it was the intention of the parties to any contract that any promise contained in it should be performed by the promisor himself, such promise must be performed by the promisor. In other cases, the promisor or his representative may employ a competent person to perform it. In terms of the provisions of Section 40 stated above, in case where Mr. Sooraj has to paint a family picture for Mr. Manoj, Mr. Manoj cannot ask the legal representative of Mr. Sooraj to complete the painting work on Mr. Sooraj’s death, since painting involves the use of personal skill. In terms of the provisions of Section 37 stated above, in case where Mr. Sooraj had promised to deliver some photographs to Mr. Manoj, the legal representatives of Mr. Sooraj shall be bound to deliver the photographs in this situation.