Acceptance by the offeree (the person who accepts an offer) is the unconditional acceptance of all the terms and conditions of the offer. There must be a “meeting of the heads” between the contracting parties. This means that both parties understand which offer will be accepted. Acceptance must be made absolutely without any deviation, i.e. acceptance to the “mirror image” of the offer. The acceptance must be communicated to the tenderer. Silence is not synonymous with acceptance. The court reads the contract as a whole and according to the ordinary meaning of the words. In general, the meaning of a contract is determined by examining the intentions of the parties at the time the contract is drafted. If the intention of the parties is not clear, the courts consider all the customs and practices of a particular business and location that could help determine intent. In the case of oral contracts, the courts may determine the will of the parties, taking into account the circumstances of the conclusion of the contract and the course of transactions between the parties. Contracts are legal agreements between two or more parties.
Legally binding contracts must contain essential elements to be enforced by the courts. Some contracts that lack one or two of these essential points still stand up in court, but it`s best to cover them all. Void contracts are formal agreements that are generally unenforceable. This is usually because the agreement did not meet the necessary requirements for it to be a legally binding contract. A minor between 7 and 18 years of age can therefore conclude a contract. However, there is a presumption that they do not understand the effects of entering into the contract. This means that the minor remains protected to the detriment of the other party. The minor may terminate a contract at any time before the age of 18 and thereafter for a reasonable period of time without a valid reason, as the contract is “voidable”. The acceptance of the offer must necessarily take place (for example, signing of an employment contract) and be communicated. Negotiations between the parties are counter-offers, not acceptances.
The meeting of minds in contract law refers to the moment when both parties have accepted the contract and both have agreed to conclude its obligations. This is also called: Only legally liable parties can enter into a contract. This means people who understand the terms, responsibilities and consequences of the contract before signing it. People who are unable to enter into contracts include minors, some offenders and those who are not of sound mind. UNILATERAL OR BILATERAL TREATIES: Most treaties are bilateral, meaning that both parties agree and that the four basic elements of a treaty exist. For example, B offers to buy A`s car at a certain price, and A accepts the offer and agrees to give the vehicle to B after receiving these specific funds. Both parties agree to the contractual agreement. It is bilateral. In a unilateral contract, a party makes an offer and a promise when someone does something in return. There is not necessarily an agreement between two people, as is the case in a bilateral treaty.
However, an offer will be made and if another person accepts and makes the offer, there is a binding contract. An example would be if A offers a $100 reward to the person who finds and returns A`s missing cat. If B finds the cat and returns it to A, A is obliged to pay B the $100 reward. This is a unilateral contract. These types of people are usually unable to make contracts: something of value must be exchanged in order to have a valid legal agreement. Usually, things like products, goods, protection or services are offered to exchange money. To be valid, a contract must generally contain all of the following: The courts will not impose an illegal agreement. Therefore, a contract must be legally enforceable. Contracts are important business tools.
This means that it is crucial to conclude a valid contract, as well as to ensure that all the conditions are clear and that both parties are aware, competent and able to conclude a legally binding agreement.
