Consideration and Legality Are Two Important Elements of A Contract

You might also like

Download as docx, pdf, or txt
Download as docx, pdf, or txt
You are on page 1of 5

Consideration and legality are two public policy.

A contract that is illegal or


important elements of a contract. contrary to public policy is unenforceable.
Consideration is the bargained-for There are a number of factors that can
exchange between the parties to a contract. make a contract illegal or contrary to
Legality means that the contract must not public policy. These include:
be for an illegal purpose or contrary to law,  The contract is for an illegal purpose. For
morals, good customs, public order, or example, a contract to commit a crime or to
public policy. engage in other illegal activity is
Consideration unenforceable.
Consideration is the exchange of something  The contract is contrary to law. For
of value between the parties to a contract. example, a contract that violates a statute or
This can be goods, services, money, or a regulation is unenforceable.
promise to do or refrain from doing  The contract is contrary to morals. For
something. Consideration is essential to the example, a contract that is based on fraud
formation of a contract because it provides or deceit is unenforceable.
the basis for the bargained-for exchange  The contract is contrary to good
between the parties. Without consideration, customs. For example, a contract that is
a contract is unenforceable. based on gambling or prostitution is
There are three main types of unenforceable.
consideration:  The contract is contrary to public order.
 Executory consideration: This is a For example, a contract that is a threat to
promise to do something in the future. national security is unenforceable.
 Past consideration: This is something that  The contract is contrary to public policy.
has already been done. Past consideration For example, a contract that is a restraint of
is generally not sufficient to support a trade is unenforceable.
contract.
 Illusory consideration: This is a promise If you are considering entering into a
that is so vague or indefinite that it is not contract, it is important to make sure that
enforceable. the contract is legal and enforceable. You
Legality should consult with an attorney to make
Legality means that the contract must not sure that the contract is not for an illegal
be for an illegal purpose or contrary to law, purpose or contrary to law, morals, good
morals, good customs, public order, or customs, public order, or public policy.
Contract formation and enforceability are  Legality: Legality means that the contract
two closely related concepts in contract law. must not be for an illegal purpose.
Contract formation refers to the process of
creating a legally binding agreement In addition to these essential elements,
between two or more parties. Enforceability there are a number of other factors that
refers to the ability of a court to compel the can affect the enforceability of a
parties to perform their obligations under the contract. These include:
contract.  Formalities: Some contracts, such as
In order for a contract to be enforceable, it contracts for the sale of land, must be in
must meet certain essential elements. writing to be enforceable.
These elements vary depending on the  Misrepresentation: A contract may be
jurisdiction, but they typically include: voidable if it was entered into based on a
 Offer: An offer is a proposal to enter into a misrepresentation of fact.
contract. It must be made with the intent to  Mistake: A contract may be voidable if it
be bound and must be definite and certain was entered into based on a mistake of fact.
in its terms.  Duress: A contract may be voidable if it was
 Acceptance: Acceptance is the agreement entered into under duress.
to the terms of an offer. It must be  Undue influence: A contract may be
unconditional and communicated to the voidable if it was entered into under undue
offeror. influence.
 Consideration: Consideration is the
exchange of something of value between If you are considering entering into a
the parties. It can be in the form of goods, contract, it is important to make sure that
services, money, or a promise to do or the contract is valid and enforceable. You
refrain from doing something. should consult with an attorney to make
 Mutual assent: Mutual assent is the sure that the contract meets all of the
meeting of the minds of the parties. This essential elements and that there are no
means that both parties must agree to the other factors that could make the contract
same terms of the contract. unenforceable.
 Capacity: Capacity is the legal ability to Here are some additional things to keep in
enter into a contract. This means that the mind about contract formation and
parties must be of legal age and mental enforceability:
competence.  A contract can be formed orally or in writing.
However, some contracts, such as contracts
for the sale of land, must be in writing to be  A seller fails to deliver goods or services.
enforceable.  A party to a contract makes a
 A contract can be express or implied. An misrepresentation of fact.
express contract is one that is stated  A party to a contract fails to perform their
explicitly, while an implied contract is one obligations under the contract due to a
that is inferred from the conduct of the mistake.
parties.  A party to a contract is forced to enter into
 A contract can be unilateral or bilateral. A the contract under duress.
unilateral contract is one in which only one  A party to a contract is unjustly influenced to
party makes a promise, while a bilateral enter into the contract.
contract is one in which both parties make
promises. If a party to a contract breaches the
 A contract can be executory or executed. contract, the non-breaching party may have
An executory contract is one in which both a number of remedies available to them.
parties have not yet performed their These remedies may include:
obligations, while an executed contract is
one in which both parties have performed  Damages: Damages are a monetary award
their obligations. that is intended to compensate the non-
breaching party for the losses they suffered
A breach of contract occurs when one or as a result of the breach.
more parties to a contract fail to perform  Specific performance: Specific performance
their obligations under the contract. A is a court order that requires the breaching
breach of contract can be material or minor. party to perform their obligations under the
A material breach is a breach that defeats contract.
the purpose of the contract, while a minor  Rescission: Rescission is a court order that
breach is a breach that does not defeat the cancels the contract and restores the
purpose of the contract. parties to their original positions.
 Restitution: Restitution is a court order that
Here are some examples of breaches of requires the breaching party to return any
contract: money or property that they received as a
result of the breach.
 A contractor fails to complete a construction
project on time.
 A buyer fails to pay for goods or services.
The specific remedy that is available to the personally liable for all of the debts and
non-breaching party will depend on the facts obligations of the business, while limited
and circumstances of the case. partners are only liable for the amount of
money that they invested in the business.
A business entity is a legal structure that a  Limited liability company (LLC): An LLC is a
business owner chooses to operate their hybrid business entity that combines the
business under. There are many different features of a corporation and a partnership.
types of business entities, each with its own LLCs are easy to form and operate, and
advantages and disadvantages. they offer limited liability protection to their
owners. This means that the owners of an
Here are some of the most common types LLC are not personally liable for the debts
of business entities: and obligations of the business, which
means that their personal assets cannot be
 Sole proprietorship: A sole proprietorship is seized to satisfy business debts.
a business that is owned and operated by a  Corporation: A corporation is a legal entity
single individual. It is the simplest and most that is separate and distinct from its owners.
common type of business entity. Sole Corporations offer limited liability protection
proprietorships are easy to form and to their shareholders, which means that the
operate, and they do not require any special shareholders of a corporation are not
filing with the government. However, sole personally liable for the debts and
proprietors are personally liable for all of the obligations of the corporation. Corporations
debts and obligations of their business, are also more complex to form and operate
which means that their personal assets can than sole proprietorships, partnerships, and
be seized to satisfy business debts. LLCs.
 Partnership: A partnership is a business that
is owned and operated by two or more
A corporation is a legal entity that is
people. There are two main types of
separate and distinct from its owners.
partnerships: general partnerships and Corporations offer limited liability protection
limited partnerships. In a general to their shareholders, which means that the
partnership, all of the partners are shareholders of a corporation are not
personally liable for all of the debts and personally liable for the debts and
obligations of the business. In a limited obligations of the corporation. This is one of
partnership, there are general partners and the key advantages of corporations over
limited partners. General partners are
other types of business entities, such as  Shareholder agreements: These
sole proprietorships and partnerships. agreements set out the rights and
Corporations are governed by contract law. obligations of shareholders, such as their
This means that the rights and obligations of voting rights, dividend rights, and
shareholders, directors, and officers are preemptive rights.
spelled out in contracts. These contracts  Employment agreements: These
can be express (written) or implied agreements set out the rights and
(unwritten). obligations of employees, such as their
One of the most important contracts in salary, benefits, and termination rights.
corporate law is the shareholder agreement.  Mergers and acquisitions: These contracts
This agreement sets out the rights and are used to combine two or more
obligations of shareholders, such as their companies into a new company.
voting rights, dividend rights, and  Loan agreements: These contracts are used
preemptive rights. to borrow money from a lender.
Another important contract in corporate law  Real estate contracts: These contracts are
is the employment agreement. This used to buy, sell, or lease real estate.
agreement sets out the rights and If you are involved in any of these areas of
obligations of employees, such as their corporate contract law, it is important to
salary, benefits, and termination rights. consult with an attorney to make sure that
Corporations are also subject to a number you understand your rights and obligations.
of statutes and regulations. These statutes
and regulations set out the requirements
that corporations must follow in order to
operate legally. For example, corporations
must file annual reports with the
government and they must hold annual
meetings of shareholders.
Contracts play an important role in
corporate law. They help to ensure that the
rights and obligations of shareholders,
directors, and officers are clear and that
corporations are operated in a legal and
ethical manner.
Here are some of the key areas of corporate
contract law:

You might also like