Questions tagged [contract-law]

For questions about laws related to contracts, an agreement between two or more parties.

Contracts are generally composed of:

  1. Offer and acceptance

    This means the agreement of all parties to the same terms - where the terms are accepted with modifications, it is considered a counteroffer, and all other parties must agree to them.

  2. Intention to be legally bound
  3. Consideration

    This is the exchange of something of value between the parties. This may be goods, services, a promise to do or abstain from acting.

Additionally:

  • The parties must have the capacity to enter into a contract
    Generally, this means that those deemed mentally incapable, such as children or those under the influence of drugs, will not be able to enter into binding contracts.
  • The form and purpose of the contract must be legal
  • The parties must consent

Canonical answers:

2295 questions
232
votes
7 answers

If a company agrees to pay travel cost for a job interview, is the promise binding and enforceable?

There is a question on workplace.SE about a company which offered to pay travel costs for a job interview, but canceled the return ticket after ending the interview - Potential Employer Cancels Return Flight. Generally, when arranging a job…
sleske
  • 9,071
  • 4
  • 29
  • 65
57
votes
3 answers

Can I sign legal documents with a smiley face?

The signature on my driver's license is a unique and identifiable smiley face :-) I use this signature to sign all legally binding documents. A lot of the time, people reject it, and request an "actual signature". I then show them that it is the…
Evorlor
  • 1,037
  • 2
  • 10
  • 17
51
votes
9 answers

Why do lawyers write contracts with language that is more difficult to understand than other works?

The recent Ig Nobel Prize Winning work "Poor writing, not specialized concepts, drives processing difficulty in legal language" by Martínez, Mollica, and Gibson demonstrates that contracts are written in language that is harder to understand than…
User65535
  • 10,342
  • 5
  • 40
  • 88
44
votes
5 answers

After buying from a brick & mortar shop they've contacted me to say buying things from them is consent to arbitration. Is this legal?

A few days ago I bought over-the-counter goods from a shop. There was no signature involved in this purchase. I walked up to the counter with off-the-shelf items, was asked for a phone number, paid in cash, then left. They just sent a text message…
44
votes
3 answers

Is it breach of contract if dismissed before starting work?

I've been dismissed by a company I was due to start a job with, just a few days before the job was meant to start. They have no intention of providing me with any compensation despite the fact I handed in my notice as my previous job, moved to the…
43
votes
4 answers

What's the problem with red ink?

I have repeatedly encountered lawyers who refuse to sign documents using red ink or accept documents that are signed in red ink. No one has been able to articulate exactly why in my conversations, but there seems to be a belief that red ink is…
bdb484
  • 66,944
  • 4
  • 146
  • 214
35
votes
5 answers

Do Legal Documents Require Signing In Standard Pen Colors?

I have a question as to whether or not legal documents signed in non standard pen colors (Anything other than blue or black) are valid. I carry a purple pen around that use for everyday writing tasks, and when I was going to sign a document, someone…
Sarah Szabo
  • 485
  • 1
  • 4
  • 5
33
votes
3 answers

What law governs shopping carts?

The title may sound a bit funny but it is something I spent a few hours thinking about during a recent car trip :) In my country in order to get a shopping cart, you have to insert a coin. When returning the cart, you get back the coin you had…
Yanick Salzmann
  • 865
  • 6
  • 18
32
votes
1 answer

What's the difference between a share and a stock?

In my company constitution I found the following: At any time, the directors may allot and issue unissued shares subject to clause 8, or grant options over unissued shares, on any condition and at any time they see fit, taking care to preserve…
Anthony
  • 649
  • 6
  • 10
31
votes
4 answers

Is it legal to lie about an illegal requirement?

As an example, its not legal to discriminate against a person of a certain race while renting out your house. So lets say an Asian person sees a house rented out with a "no Asians" condition. Would it be legal for them to "mask" themselves as a…
JonathanReez
  • 4,816
  • 4
  • 37
  • 70
31
votes
4 answers

How to prove I live in a specific address?

https://www.flhsmv.gov/ddl/address.html I need to provide proof of address for the DMV, but the process can be difficult because: I live with someone else; I do not pay rent/utilities; and they will not assist in the process. The Florida DMV asks…
EyeSi
  • 327
  • 1
  • 3
  • 3
30
votes
1 answer

Can a significant change in incentives void an employment contract?

Recently over at The Workplace there was a question regarding an employee withholding valuable information that they developed in their spare time. According to their employment contract all intellectual property they develop, regardless of work…
Summer
  • 403
  • 4
  • 8
30
votes
4 answers

Does ripping up the only signed contract form invalidate it?

Suppose I sign a contract in front of witnesses, but then immediately tear it up. Is the contract still binding?
William
  • 513
  • 1
  • 5
  • 19
28
votes
2 answers

What are some possible law suits or civil actions the Las Vegas shooting victims could take?

I assume that many, if not all of the businesses, corporations and individuals who were operating and supplying services at the time of the Las Vegas Strip shootings (Wikipedia) - such as hotels, concert promoters, etc. - to guests and concert…
BlueDogRanch
  • 19,184
  • 5
  • 37
  • 62
27
votes
2 answers

Strange Clause in Employment Contract Concerning Leaving Job

My teenager has applied for a tutoring job at a local after-school tutoring center and there is the following clause in her employment contract: If you decide to discontinue after your term is over, you need to provide a referral and train him or…
1
2 3
99 100