Contracts Act 1950: Acceptance Overview

A legal case where a reward was offered for information leading to the discovery of a murderer. The court considered if the claimant's motivation for providing that information affected their right to the reward.

A legal case where a reward was offered for information about murders. In this case, the person providing information did so to clear themselves from a false charge, not for the reward.

A legal case about implied terms in contracts. The court discussed whether a contract could have retrospective application if the parties intended it.

A situation in contract law where one party's offer is not properly accepted by another party.

A legal case illustrating that two identical offers mailed at the same time, with neither party knowing of the others offer, do not constitute a contract.

A payment made in advance that cannot be recovered, even if the agreement falls through.

Indicates no contract until a formal document is signed; or, a binding contract exists, but the document's signing is a formality.

A formal contract outlining the terms of a property sale.

A strong assumption that a formal contract is needed, unless proven otherwise.

Acceptance of an offer is effective when the acceptance letter is posted, not when received.

Case highlighting that the parties' intention to be bound (or not) is crucial, even with a seemingly complete agreement.

Case showing a strong presumption that 'subject to contract' requires a future, formal contract.

Acceptance of an offer is complete when the offeror receives it.

Case illustrating that 'proposed formal agreement' means precisely that.

A contract requires an offer, acceptance, and consideration for it to be valid.

Case demonstrating that "subject to sale and purchase agreement" does not necessarily mean no contract until its execution, if the parties, property, and essential terms are identified.

Acceptance needs to be communicated to be effective. How that communication occurs (phone, mail) dictates the rule for timing.

Used to avoid a formal contract existing, while still making a deal.

A property sale where payments are made over a period.

Agreement to the terms of an offer, creating a legally binding contract.

An acceptance that mirrors the offer precisely; no variations or conditions.

A response to an offer that introduces new terms, effectively rejecting the original offer.

The method of acceptance, when not specified by the offeror, should be sensible and customary.

Acceptance is effective when posted, not when received, if it's reasonable to use mail.

Acceptance is effective when received by the offeror, for methods like phone calls or email.

A proposal becomes an acceptance when the person receiving it signifies their agreement.

Acceptance can be communicated through actions or omissions, with the intention to accept being crucial.

Acceptance stated explicitly: using words or written communication.

Acceptance shown through actions, rather than words.

Acceptance must be in the form specified, if provided by the offerer.

Acceptance achieved not by direct communication (words), but inferred from an individual's conduct.

Acceptance demonstrated by failing to reject the offer; silence does not always suffice.

Acceptance is complete at the time the offeree communicates their agreement to the offeror; the method used for communication determines the time of completion.

A response to an offer that introduces new terms, thus destroying the original offer.

An inquiry about an offer that does not change the terms. It doesn't destroy the original offer.

An acceptance that shows no contract exists until a formal contract is signed.

A clear, definite proposal to enter into a contract expressing a willingness to be bound by specific terms.

A clear, unconditional agreement to all the terms of an offer.

Indicates a contract isn't complete until a formal document is signed; this could mean a binding contract already exists, with signing a formality.

A legal case about reward for information, considering if the motivation behind giving information affects the right to a reward.

A case where a reward for information was offered, but the informer acted to clear themselves of false charges, not for the reward itself.

A strong belief that a formal agreement will follow an initial agreement, unless it's proven otherwise.

Legal case highlighting the importance of the parties' intent to be legally bound. A complete agreement doesn't automatically create a contract unless both sides want to be legally committed.

A case about implied terms in contracts, discussing if a contract can have a retrospective effect if parties intended it.

A legal case that demonstrates the strong presumption that "subject to contract" signals the need for a formal contract.

Case showing two identical offers sent simultaneously do not constitute a contract if neither party knows of the other's offer.

A contract that applies to actions from a past date; legally possible if both parties intended it.

A legal case illustrating the precise interpretation of a phrase like "proposed formal agreement."

A case showing there might be a binding agreement even with a phrase like "subject to sale and purchase agreement".

Property purchase with payments spread over a period.

Agreement to the terms of an offer, creating a legally binding contract.

The recipient of an offer must know about it to accept it legally.

The act of conveying agreement to an offer, to the offeror.

Acceptance is effective when sent (post); not when received.

Acceptance is complete when it arrives at the offer's recipient.

If offeror doesn't know the message was received, there is no contract.

If the offeror claims not to have received the acceptance, but the receiver reasonably thought it was received, they won't be allowed to claim otherwise.

Simultaneous offers that are equal and identical (but by different people) do not automatically form a contract.

A proposal becomes an acceptance when the person receiving it signifies their agreement.

Acceptance can be communicated through actions or omissions, with the intention to accept being crucial.

Acceptance stated explicitly: using words or written communication.

Acceptance shown through actions, rather than words.

Acceptance must be in the form specified, if provided by the offeror.

Acceptance achieved not by direct communication (words), but inferred from an individual's conduct.

Acceptance demonstrated by failing to reject the offer; silence does not always suffice.

Acceptance is complete at the time the offeree communicates their agreement to the offeror; the method used for communication determines the time of completion.

An acceptance that mirrors the offer precisely, with no variations or conditions.

A response to an offer that introduces new terms, effectively rejecting the original offer.

The method of acceptance, when not specified by the offeror, should be sensible and customary.

Acceptance is effective when posted, not when received, if it's reasonable to use mail.

Acceptance is effective when received by the offeror, for methods like phone calls or email.

Indicates no contract exists until a formal document is signed; a binding contract might already exist, but signing the document is a formality.

A response to an offer that introduces new terms, effectively rejecting the original offer.

An inquiry about an offer that does not change the terms; it doesn't destroy the original offer.

An acceptance that shows no contract exists until a formal contract is signed; this could mean a binding contract already exists, with signing a formality.

A strong belief that a formal agreement will follow an initial agreement, unless it's proven otherwise.

A clear, unconditional agreement to all the terms of an offer.

A clear, definite proposal to enter into a contract expressing a willingness to be bound by specific terms.

The agreement to the terms of an offer that creates a legally binding contract.

A payment made upfront that cannot be returned, even if the agreement is cancelled.

Acceptance of an offer is effective when the acceptance letter is posted, not when received, if agreed upon.

Acceptance of an offer is effective when the offeror receives the acceptance. (e.g. phone, email).

An agreement that shows no contract exists until a formal contract is signed. (A binding agreement might already exist but the formal contract is pending.)

The process of letting the offeror know you agree to the offer.

A detailed and formal contract documenting the terms of a property sale or purchase.

Unconditional agreement to an offer's terms, forming a legally binding contract.

A response to an offer that changes the terms, destroying the original offer.

Acceptance's effectiveness is determined by the method of communication. Different rules apply for different methods.

A legal case where a reward's recipient's motivation (e.g., conscience) was questioned for acceptance.

A legal case where reward for information was not the motivation for providing it; different motive influenced the outcome.

Case about implied terms; a contract could have a retrospective effect if the parties intended it.

Two identical offers, sent simultaneously but unknown to each other, do not constitute a contract.

Identical offers sent by different people without knowledge of each other's offers do not form a contract.

A contract applying to actions from a past date; legally possible if both parties intended it.

The recipient of an offer must be aware of the offer to accept it legally.

The act of conveying agreement to an offerer, and the method shapes the completion of the acceptance process.

A proposal becomes an acceptance when the recipient signifies their agreement.

Acceptance is effective when sent (by mail); not when received.

Acceptance is complete when received by the offerer.

If the offeror is unaware that the message was received, there's no contract.

If the offeror claims not to have received the acceptance, but the receiver reasonably thought it was received, they can't claim otherwise.

Simultaneous, identical offers (by different parties) do not automatically form a contract.

Acceptance can be communicated via actions, omissions, and intentions to accept are crucial.

Acceptance stated explicitly: using words or written communication.

Acceptance shown through actions, rather than words.

Acceptance must be in the form specified by the offeror, if provided.

Acceptance inferred from conduct, not by direct communication (words).

Acceptance shown by failing to reject the offer; silence isn't always sufficient.

Acceptance is complete when the offeree communicates their agreement to the offeror; method matters.