They wondered whether, given Mr. Paterno's failings, it might be possible to nullify the contract, or at least renegotiate it and reduce the payout, the people said.
If A.C.A. did not agree, United had the right under bankruptcy law to ask a judge to nullify the contract completely.
Because Jane Smith has completed a substantial amount of the work and appears to have made a good faith effort to fulfill the contract, it is unlikely that ABC Publishing could completely nullify the contract.
The union's lawsuit, filed late last month in State Supreme Court in Manhattan, seeks to nullify the contracts with the two companies, Johnson Controls and Temco Service Industries.
The Kurds insist that the deal and other agreements are legal, but the central government in Baghdad has threatened to nullify the contracts, saying that only it can negotiate over Iraq's oil.
Because of the delay, Lasker insisted on a final clause that allowed him to play anyone else for the championship in 1920, that nullified the contract with Capablanca if Lasker lost a title match in 1920, and that stipulated that if Lasker resigned the title Capablanca should become World Champion.
Seditious discourse that encourages individuals to nullify the social contract should not be tolerated.
A hearing was held Sunday afternoon, and BP formally agreed to nullify the objectionable language in the contracts.
Mr. Poll, who runs the non-unionized Boathouse restaurant in Central Park, has notified the union that he will push for a new contract that would nullify the current agreement.
By first making the contract and then declaring who should construe it, the strong could oppress the weak, and in effect so nullify the law as to secure enforcement of contracts usurious, illegal, immoral, and contrary to public policy".
On Monday, the stock rose 20 cents to $20.41 share— perhaps on speculation that the N.B.A. may nullify the Garden deal because Thomas is already under contract to coach Florida International University's basketball team.
