People enter into contracts every day. Most contracts are bilateral, while some are unilateral. Both are binding but are different in what they require. Learn about unilateral and bilateral contracts and how these contracts are carried out.
Find out more about business management
by Ronna L. DeLoe, Esq.
Ronna L. DeLoe is a freelance writer and a published author who has written hundreds of legal articles. She does.
Updated on: November 24, 2023 · 4 min read
Contracts are part of daily living, especially in the business world. You enter into contracts all the time by purchasing goods, where you promise to pay, and the other party promises to give you the goods or send the goods you requested online. This type of binding contract is a bilateral contract.
There are other types of contracts that are just as binding, such as unilateral contracts. The way they're entered into is what makes unilateral contracts different from bilateral contracts.
Unilateral contracts are where one party, the offeror, makes an offer. It could be an offer to the general public or to a specific person. This type of contract isn't made by a promise; instead, it requires the offeree—someone who has agreed to act pursuant to the contract—to perform an act that the offeror requests. Yet the offeree has no obligation to perform that act.
One example of a unilateral contract is where an offeror puts up a reward sign for their lost dog. If someone sees the sign and wants the reward, they can only get the reward if they find the dog. It's not enough for the person to promise to find or to look for it—the person must find the dog to earn the reward money. Nobody is required to search for the dog, but whoever wants the reward must find the dog.
Acceptance of a unilateral contract happens when the offeree performs their part of the contract. It's not enough for the offeree to begin to perform—the offeree must complete the required performance. When the offeree completes performance, the offeror must abide by the contract, usually by paying money for completion of the act.
The only way to accept a unilateral contract is by completion of the task. If, for example, an offeror says they will give someone $500 for climbing all the steps in the Empire State Building, the offeree isn't required to climb the steps. If they do it, though, the offeror must pay them for it; otherwise the offeror breaches or breaks the unilateral contract.
An offeror can revoke a unilateral contract at any time before performance starts. Whether or not a unilateral contract can be revoked after the offeree begins to perform its requirements depends on whether the contract is the performance type (that is, climbing the Empire State Building steps) or the reward type (that is, finding the dog).
Specific to the performance type, the old law was that—even if the offeree had started performing—the offeror could still revoke the contract. This is no longer the case: Once an offeree starts a physical performance of the contract, the offeror can't revoke a unilateral contract. For example, once the person begins climbing the Empire State Building steps, the offeror must pay if the person completes the task.
However, the offeror can revoke the reward type of unilateral contract at any time, so long as the offeror clearly conveys that they've revoked the offer. (If the offeror posted signs for the reward, then the offeror should post similar signs stating that they've revoked the unilateral contract.) In a reward type contract, the contract isn't fully performed if the dog hasn't been found. Accordingly, an offeror of a unilateral contract for such a reward can revoke it at any time before the dog is found.
Unilateral contracts require one party to make a promise. The contract isn't complete until someone performs it. Bilateral contracts, however, require at least two people to make promises to each other, such as when you rent an apartment. These promises require each party to perform their part of the contract.
Either party who fails to perform under a bilateral contract will breach the contract. If the offeror of a unilateral contract fails to honor their commitment after the offeree has performed, then the offeror has breached the contract and they may be liable to the other party for breach.
Courts can enforce both unilateral and bilateral contracts, whether they're written or oral. To sue for breach of contract, the injured party must show:
There are all kinds of contracts people enter into every day, whether it's in the course of business or whether you're a consumer who purchases a product or service, such as engaging a contractor.
If you're not sure whether your contract is valid or if the other party has breached it, check with a business attorney who can interpret it for you. Be aware that there are some slight variations in contract requirements in each state. Working with an attorney to make sure your contract, whether unilateral or bilateral, is a binding contract can save you money and help guard against future liability. An attorney also can help you enforce a contract if it's been breached.
Find out more about Business ManagementThis article is for informational purposes. This content is not legal advice, it is the expression of the author and has not been evaluated by LegalZoom for accuracy or changes in the law.
You may also like
By knowing what other trademarks are out there, you will understand if there is room for the mark that you want to protect. It is better to find out early, so you can find a mark that will be easier to protect.
July 31, 2024 · 4min read
Considering an LLC for your business? The application process isn't complicated, but to apply for an LLC, you'll have to do some homework first.
July 29, 2024 · 11min read
