Unilateral refers to something happening on only one side, such as when one person or group takes action without involving others. This contrasts with bilateral, which involves both sides.
Unilateral refers to something that is one-sided or carried out by only one party without the involvement or consent of others. For instance, when the United States enforced a unilateral trade embargo on Cuba, it meant that the US ceased trading with Cuba, while Cuba did not reciprocate by halting trade with the US. Similarly, when an individual unilaterally terminates a friendship, it implies that they are ending the relationship without the other person’s agreement or involvement. These instances exemplify the concept of unilateral as they both involve one party taking action without the consent or participation of the other party. In the first scenario, the US imposes a trade embargo on Cuba without Cuba’s agreement, while in the second scenario, one person terminates a friendship without the other person’s agreement or involvement.
A unilateral contract is a legal agreement in which only one party makes a promise or undertakes an obligation. The other party is not required to do anything unless they choose to accept the offer.
Yes, a unilateral contract can be revoked by the party who made the offer before the other party accepts it. Once the offer is accepted, however, the contract becomes binding.
Yes, a unilateral contract is enforceable if the accepting party performs the required action or fulfills the specified conditions mentioned in the offer. Once the acceptance is made, the contract becomes legally binding.
A unilateral contract can only be modified if both parties agree to the changes. If the accepting party has already started performing the required action, any modifications would require their consent.
If the accepting party fails to fulfill their obligation in a unilateral contract, the party who made the offer cannot enforce the contract. However, they may have the option to seek damages if they suffered any losses due to the non-performance.
In general, a unilateral contract cannot be accepted by silence. The accepting party must actively perform the required action or communicate their acceptance explicitly.
A unilateral contract can be terminated if the party who made the offer revokes it before the other party accepts. Once the acceptance is made, the contract cannot be terminated unless both parties agree or if there are specific termination clauses mentioned in the contract.
Unilateral contracts are less common in business transactions compared to bilateral contracts, where both parties make promises. However, they can still be used in certain situations, such as reward offers or contests.
If the offeror dies before the acceptance of a unilateral contract, the contract generally becomes unenforceable. However, there may be exceptions if the offeror’s estate or heirs choose to honor the contract.
The main difference between a unilateral and bilateral contract is the number of promises made. In a unilateral contract, only one party makes a promise, while in a bilateral contract, both parties make promises to each other.
This site contains general legal information but does not constitute professional legal advice for your particular situation. Persuing this glossary does not create an attorney-client or legal adviser relationship. If you have specific questions, please consult a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.
This glossary post was last updated: 17th April 2024.
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