Originally Posted by
eschlwc
"It's not as if there was a contract, real or implied with anyone until there was money in his hand."
i don't think that's true. i think all that's needed is a valid, legal offer and legal acceptance. consideration must only be promised.
Verbal agreements aren't worth the paper they aren't written on...
There are exceptions....
Oral Contracts: Do They Carry Any Weight? The answer is yes—as long as you can prove it in court.
A handshake deal is always more binding when there are witnesses to the agreement. If you do go ahead and shake on an oral contract with no one to witness it, you should carry out your half of the bargain ASAP. Because putting your words into immediate action is another way to validate your oral agreement.
If you begin acting on your agreement with the other party acting in compliance, you create additional evidence that a deal was struck. Of course, the only problem with this strategy is that it requires the other party to immediately begin work on their half of the agreement.
Moral? Ethical? Legal?
verktyg
Chas. Sea Lawyer