

Without acceptance, there is no contract.Īcceptances can be made verbally, but they are easier to challenge if there is vagueness around the terms of the offer, so it’s best to have it in writing.Ĭonsideration refers to the agreement to exchange something of value, usually money. In order to make this agreement legally binding, both parties should sign the contract.

There can sometimes be several rounds of negotiations during this phase.Īcceptance means that both parties have unconditionally agreed to the terms of the offer. There are often negotiations, or counter offers at this stage, where both parties suggest amendments to the offer until they’re both satisfied. The party that makes the offer is called ‘the offerer’ while the receiving party is called the ‘offeree.’ A contract effectively begins when the other party accepts the terms of the offer. Ensuring you have these six essentials will help protect you and your business in the future.Īn offer is effectively a promise that is to be honoured, assuming both involved parties accept the terms of the agreement. If your contracts are missing any of these components, they might not stand up to legal scrutiny, putting you and your business at risk, causing you stress and ultimately, costing you money.Ĭonsider these elements legal table stakes for your business – the minimum legal requirement for a business agreement. Essentially, if you don’t have these elements in a contract, you don’t have a contract. And on top of simply being in writing, every contract you have needs to include six essential elements in order to be considered valid and legally binding.

However, as your business matures and grows, it’s essential you have all your legal agreements in writing. But many business owners often overlook the importance of written legal contracts and often fall into the trap of making their agreements verbally when starting out.
Elements of a contract professional#
Every professional relationship starts with a business contract.
