Agreement vs Contract ð
Scenario:
- Raj invites Simran to dinner. Simran accepts.
- Raj doesn't show up. Can Simran sue him? No. (Social Agreement).
- Raj offers to sell his car to Simran for âđ5 Lakhs. Simran accepts.
- Raj refuses to sell. Can Simran sue him? Yes. (Legal Contract).
The Golden Rule: "All Contracts are Agreements, but all Agreements are NOT Contracts."
Definitions ð
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Agreement (Section 2(e)): "Every promise and every set of promises, forming the consideration for each other."
- Formula: Offer + Acceptance = Agreement.
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Contract (Section 2(h)): "An agreement enforceable by law."
- Formula: Agreement + Legal Enforceability = Contract.
Essentials of a Valid Contract (Section 10) ð
For an agreement to become a contract, it must have:
- Offer and Acceptance: Two parties agreeing on the same thing in the same sense (Consensus ad idem).
- Intention to create Legal Relations: (Balfour vs Balfour case).
- Lawful Consideration: Something in return (Quid pro quo).
- Capacity of Parties: Age of majority, sound mind, not disqualified.
- Free Consent: Not caused by coercion, undue influence, fraud, etc.
- Lawful Object: Not illegal or opposed to public policy.
- Certainty: Meaning must be clear.
- Possibility of Performance: Cannot promise to discover treasure by magic.
1. Offer"A proposes to B."
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2. Acceptance"B agrees."
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3. Agreement"Offer + Acceptance."
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4. Enforceability"Legal Obligation."
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5. Contract"The Final Result."
Quiz Time! ðŊ
Test Your Knowledge
Question 1 of 5
1. Which section of the Indian Contract Act defines 'Contract'?
ðĄ Final Wisdom: "A contract is the bridge between a 'Promise' and the 'Law'. Without that bridge, a promise is just words." ð
Next up: Types of Contracts - Valid, Void, and Voidable! ðĶ
