4 Common Misconceptions about Contracts

Many of my clients are sophisticated business people and professionals. Despite having many medical doctors and PhDs on my client roster, I still hear some legal theories that are flat-out wrong.

I’ll examine some common ones that apply to contracts:

1. A contract needs to be in writing.

   For most contracts, this is just plain wrong. There are limited exceptions- contracts governed by the Statute of Frauds- the most common example being the sale of real estate.

   Here is what we learn on the first day of Contracts class in Law School: A contract is a legally binding agreement requiring offer and acceptance and consideration. No need to write that down.

   Of course, writing a contract clarifies much of the confusion surrounding a verbal exchange that would qualify as a binding contract. That’s why there is almost no litigation about written contracts.

   Ok, that’s totally false; most litigation involves contract interpretation. However, a clearly written document helps clear up many of the disputes that surround contract litigation. Imagine if every contract dispute started with: "What do you say?" And then, what did she say? We’d never get out of court.

   Conclusion: Writing a contract is highly advisable, but not necessary (except in some cases, e.g., sales of estate).

   
   

2. An unsigned contract is as good as no contract at all.

   One could make this argument in court, and in some cases it may prevail. However, if one negotiates a contract and acts as if it has been signed (e.g., performs some or all of the duties assumed under the contract), the counterparty will have a strong argument that it should be treated as if it is signed.

   Conclusion: Sign your contracts and make sure your counterparty does, but don’t think that a missing signature will change the facts on the ground.

   
   

3. It is illegal to break a contract.

   It isn’t illegal to break a contract. Anyone can break (or breach in lawyer-speak) a contract and deal with the consequences.

   Let’s say I sign a contract to supply the local bar (Moe’s) with 10 keg of beer for the weekend. On Thursday, another bar came to me and offered me twice the price for the beer. I can sell the beer to the second bar and deal with the breach of my supply agreement to the first bar.

   Moe’s will probably sue me for damages, and I’ll have to deal with that. I’m not saying this is a smart move or good business. But it isn’t illegal. The law does not prohibit it.

   Conclusion: You can legally break contracts, but you’ll have to deal with the consequences.

   
   

4. A contract is all the legal protection one needs.

   That would be great. But, here’s the thing: enforcing a contract is tough business. First, you have to file a lawsuit, serve the defendant, and win in court. Then, the defendant has to have the money to pay you. All this time, you’ve spent money on attorneys, and this process can take years.

   You’ve heard the expression: “That contract wasn’t worth the paper it was written on”. That can happen.

   
   

   Conclusion: By all means, use a contract, but don’t fail to consider the other risks that a contract simply can’t cover.

Avrum Aaron

US-Israeli lawyer

avrum@lop-llc.com

054-398-4380