Types of Writing to Satisfy Statute of Frauds
When is a Contract Considered to be In Writing?
Written by Jason Gordon
Updated at December 1st, 2020
- Marketing, Advertising, Sales & PR
- Accounting, Taxation, and Reporting
- Professionalism & Career Development
-
Law, Transactions, & Risk Management
Government, Legal System, Administrative Law, & Constitutional Law Legal Disputes - Civil & Criminal Law Agency Law HR, Employment, Labor, & Discrimination Business Entities, Corporate Governance & Ownership Business Transactions, Antitrust, & Securities Law Real Estate, Personal, & Intellectual Property Commercial Law: Contract, Payments, Security Interests, & Bankruptcy Consumer Protection Insurance & Risk Management Immigration Law Environmental Protection Law Inheritance, Estates, and Trusts
- Business Management & Operations
- Economics, Finance, & Analytics
- Courses
What type of writing is required to satisfy the statute of frauds?
To meet the requirements of the statute of frauds, there must be a sufficient writing to demonstrate that a contract exists. The writing can be typed, handwritten, or electronic. The agreement must generally be signed by the party against whom it is being enforced. A signature may be a mark, seal, stamp, electronic signature, or a handwritten agreement. Between merchants, a confirmation regarding the contract by one merchant that is not objected to by the other merchant will be sufficient, even though it is not signed by the other merchant.
Next Article: Exceptions to Statute of Frauds Back to: CONTRACT LAW
Discussion: Why do you think that the definition of a writing is construed so broadly? Is this broad interpretation justified or does it unduly detriment a party? Why?
Practice Question: Frank agrees to sell Amy his collector-edition, signed baseball card. Frank writes on the back of the a napkin, I agree to sell Amy my Mickey Mantle rookie card for $2000. Will this be a sufficient writing to satisfy the statute of frauds?