What Is a Bilateral Contract?
A bilateral contract is an agreement between two parties in which each side agrees to fulfill their side of the bargain. Typically, bilateral contracts involve an equal obligation or consideration from the offeror and the offeree, although this need not always be the case.
In more complex situations, such as multinational trade negotiations, a bilateral contract can be a so-called "side deal." That is, both parties are involved in the general negotiations but may also see the need for a separate contract relevant only to their shared interests.
Key Takeaways:
- A bilateral contract is the most common type of binding agreement, which involves concessions or obligations owed by both sides of the contract.
- Any sales agreement, lease, or employment contract are common examples of a bilateral contract.
- A unilateral agreement, in contrast, requires only one party to commit to an obligation.
How a Bilateral Contract Works
The bilateral contract is the most common kind of binding agreement. Each party is both an obligor (a person who is bound to another) to its own promise, and an obligee (a person to whom another is obligated or bound) on the other party's promise. A contract is signed so that the agreement is clear and legally enforceable.
Any sales agreement is an example of a bilateral contract. A car buyer may agree to pay the seller a certain amount of money in exchange for the title to the car. The seller agrees to deliver the car title in exchange for the specified sale amount. If either party fails to complete one end of the bargain, a breach of contract has occurred.
In that sense, virtually all of our daily routine transactions are bilateral contracts, sometimes with a signed agreement and often without one.
Business contracts are almost always bilateral. Businesses provide a product or service in exchange for financial compensation, so most businesses are constantly entering into bilateral contracts with customers or suppliers. An employment agreement, in which a company promises to pay an applicant a certain rate for completing specified tasks, is also a bilateral contract.
When determining whether a contract is unilateral or bilateral in nature, courts will often consider whether both parties offered something specific of value—in which case, the contract is bilateral.
Bilateral vs. Unilateral Contracts
As noted, a bilateral contract by definition has reciprocal obligations. That makes it distinct from a unilateral contract. In a unilateral contract, one party is obligated to fulfill its obligation only if and when the other party completes a specified task. A unilateral contract typically involves the first party issuing a payment only on completion of the second party's task.
In legal terms, that second party in a unilateral contract is not obliged to actually perform the task, and may not be found in breach of contract for not doing so. If it were a bilateral contract, both parties would have a legal obligation.
An example of a unilateral contract might be a contest to find a buried treasure to win $1 million. No one is obligated to hunt for the treasure, but if someone finds it, the contest creator is obliged to pay $1 million to that person. If the nature of a contract is disputed, a court will judge the merits of the claim against the content of the contract, determining if one or both parties maintain an obligation or concession.
Although no definitive conclusion on consideration of contract law exists among courts, consideration is a vital element of a contract that makes it legal.3 min read
1. Consideration of Contract
2.
Types of Contracts
3. Important Definitions
4. A Conclusion of a Contract
Although no definitive conclusion on consideration of contract law exists among courts, consideration is a fundamental element of a contract that makes it valid and legal.
Consideration of Contract
Legal policies are made up of four main categories: civil, criminal, public, and private laws. Contract law regulates business operations by enforcing rights and obligations of the parties to the contract. Contract law takes into account private law. If a contract violates any laws, then it is void. Contracts are law-binding documents, either written or verbal, that make sure both parties deliver on their promises stated in a contract.
Types of Contracts
- Express contracts state both parties' roles and duties explicitly.
- Bilateral contracts legally bind the parties by their mutual promises to each other.
- Unilateral contracts consist of one party making an offer to another party who can accept the terms of the contract by excusing outlined actions.
Both parties must agree on the contract's consideration for a contract to be legal, valid, and binding to both parties. Consideration refers to the trade of valuable goods or services of approximately equal value. Typically, consideration takes the form of money, but products or services could also be accepted. Contract law uses consideration to determine the value exchanged in a contract.
Deals without consideration are not legally binding. This makes the contract unenforceable in the court's eye, meaning that parties won't be able to start legal action against each other in case of breach of contract. A business attorney can help you prepare and implement a contract. He or she will provide legal representation if needed. Your attorney will make sure that the contract is legally binding, that all requirements are set and agreed upon, and that value is clearly stated in the contract. While hiring an attorney can be costly, it will help eliminate various legal problems in the future.
Important Definitions
- Punitive damages are punishment awarded to the defendant, which exceeds actual damages.
- Liquidated damages and penalty clause sets an amount of money that must be paid in case of breach of contract.
- The needs of mutuality clause means that each party must agree on the value and terms stated in the contract.
- An injunction is a court order that rules or restrains a certain action. There are two types of injunctions: prohibitory and mandatory. Mandatory injunctions require a party to perform certain actions, while a prohibitory injunction prohibits a party to engage in certain activities.
- Restitution requires both parties to give back goods or services delivered or compensate the other party for their value.
- Restitutio in intergrum voids a contract and allows the parties to go back to their initial state.
Consideration is a fundamental element of an ethical contract allowing both parties to benefit from the agreement. Parties' rights and obligations should be thoroughly stated to avoid misunderstandings or violation of the contract. Without consideration, a contract is not legally binding as it doesn't provide a set value on a performance or task.
A Conclusion of a Contract
To avoid legal issues in the future, parties must come to an agreement by setting a value to specific goods, services, or job performance. Consideration legally binds a contract, protecting both parties from potential lawsuits or misunderstandings. In addition, consideration often includes a section that determines loss responsibility. Having a contract that clearly states this information helps a court to determine where the failure occurred, who is at fault, and what penalty to award.
The intention of the parties regulates the distinction between terms and representation in a contract's statements according to the following criteria:
- The significance of the term to the maker of the statement makes it a term.
- If the individual making a statement had a special skill or knowledge of the subject, then the statement is a term.
- If the other party was told to verify the truth of the statement, the statement is a representation.
- All written-down statements are the terms, while everything else is a representation.
The parol evidence rule prevents the introduction of extrinsic evidence that could alter the terms of a contract in any way.
Collateral contracts allow parties to make additions to main contracts.
If you need help with a conclusion on consideration of contract law, you can post your legal need on UpCounsel's marketplace. UpCounsel accepts only the top 5 percent of lawyers to its site. Lawyers on UpCounsel come from law schools such as Harvard Law and Yale Law and average 14 years of legal experience, including work with or on behalf of companies like Google, Menlo Ventures, and Airbnb.