If Chris offers Alex $20 to jump in a river and catch a fish, and if Alex says, "I accept your offer," and jumps into the river, is this a Unilateral contract?what if Alex jumps in the river, tries to catch a fish but cannot, and says, "I'm tired you can keep your $20"...is there a breach of contract if it is unilateral? Even if Alex said, "I accept your offer?". Created by Anonymous. politics-government-en - law-ethics-en

Unilateral contracts?

May 2021 1 18 Report

Unilateral contracts?

If Chris offers Alex $20 to jump in a river and catch a fish, and if Alex says, "I accept your offer," and jumps into the river, is this a Unilateral contract?

what if Alex jumps in the river, tries to catch a fish but cannot, and says, "I'm tired you can keep your $20"...is there a breach of contract if it is unilateral? Even if Alex said, "I accept your offer?"

Politics & Government / Law & Ethics

Answers & Comments

kheperure

Verified answer

Remember the normal definition of a unilateral contract -- it is when the contract is concluded the exchange of consideration is an executory for an executed one.

You have to examine the nature of the offer. Is it one where Chris is offering the $20 only on the completion of the act? Or is it one where Alex has offered a service to Chris in the future? Remember the exchange of promises must be mutual in a bilateral contract. If Alex is tendering acceptance it's an indication it's not a unilateral contract. If there isn't a unilateral contract, then it may be a breach.

However if Chris is offering $20 in exchange for the act (like a reward), the act is the acceptance -- there is no contract, therefore there cannot be a breach. Take for example a reward. If I offer you $50 if you find my dog, if you don't want to find my dog, there is no breach, because a contract never comes into existence.