Which law requires that certain types of contracts be written to be enforceable?

Which law requires that certain types of contracts be written to be enforceable?

• A. Statute of Frauds
• B. Statute of Limitations
• C. Parol Evidence Rule
• D. Uniform Commercial Code

Answer: (A)

Contracts that must be in writing to be enforceable are governed by the Statute of Frauds. This rule sets which agreements need a written, signed document to be legally enforceable, helping prevent disputes over uncertain terms. In real estate practice, for example, a purchase contract for property must be in writing; oral agreements for real estate typically can’t be enforced. It also covers other types, such as contracts for the sale of goods over a certain amount under the UCC, leases longer than one year, and promises to pay someone else’s debt. The other listed laws don’t impose the writing requirement: the statute of limitations governs how long you have to sue; the parol evidence rule limits use of external writings to interpret a contract; and the Uniform Commercial Code is a broad set of laws for commercial transactions, not specifically the writing requirement itself.

Contracts that must be in writing to be enforceable are governed by the Statute of Frauds. This rule sets which agreements need a written, signed document to be legally enforceable, helping prevent disputes over uncertain terms. In real estate practice, for example, a purchase contract for property must be in writing; oral agreements for real estate typically can’t be enforced. It also covers other types, such as contracts for the sale of goods over a certain amount under the UCC, leases longer than one year, and promises to pay someone else’s debt. The other listed laws don’t impose the writing requirement: the statute of limitations governs how long you have to sue; the parol evidence rule limits use of external writings to interpret a contract; and the Uniform Commercial Code is a broad set of laws for commercial transactions, not specifically the writing requirement itself.