Legal Question in Consumer Law in California

5 months ago, I signed up for membership in a Muay Thai martial arts studio. The man who signed me up was the head of the studio, is from Thailand, and doesn't speak much english. When I signed up, I had to sign a piece of paper that I thought was a liability release, but turned out to be a 12 month contract.

I tried to cancel my membership the other day, but when I tried, I was informed that I had actually signed a 12 month contract and that I had no way of getting out.

My concern, obviously, is that I have no way of getting out of a 12 month contract that I had no way of knowing was a contract. I was not given a copy of the contract and I do not want to be paying $130 a month for the next 8 months when I'm unable to go.

My question is: "Since I was not informed that what I signed was a contract, and I was not given a copy of the contract, do I have any grounds to demand a cancellation?"


Asked on 10/05/10, 1:44 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Tony Carballo Carballo Law Offices

I guess it is good that it was only a contract that you signed without even reviewing it! It could have been something worse.

Why would you sign something without even knowing the nature of the document you are signing? If signing something and then saying you signed it without knowing what it was were a defense that would allow you to cancel a contract then you and everyone else could cancel any contract. There would be no contracts at all because they would be worthless since one of the parties to the contract would simply say he or she did not know what it was When he or she signed it. You should try to settle the matter with the owner of the school. If there is a health or disability issue that prevents you from attending the classes then you might have the legal right to terminate the contract.

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Answered on 10/10/10, 10:19 pm


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