The Law of Contract deals with agreements which can be enforced through courts of law.
The Law of Contract is the most important part of commercial law because every commercial transaction starts from an agreement between two or more persons.
According to Salmond a contract is an “agreement creating and defining obligations between the parties.” According to Sir William Anson, “A contract is an agreement enforceable at law made between two or more persons, by which rights are acquired by one or more to acts or forbearances on the part of the other or others.
The object of the Law of Contract is to introduce definiteness in commercial and other transactions. How this is done can be illustrated by an example. X enters into a contract to deliver 10 tons of coal of Y on a certain date. Since such a contract is enforceable by the courts, Y can plan his activities on the basis of getting the coal on the fixed date. If the contract is broken, Y will get damages from the court and will not suffer any loss.
Sir William Anson observes as follows: “As the law relating to property had its origin in the attempt to ensure that what a man has lawfully acquired he shall retain, so the law of contract is intended to ensure that what a man has been led to expect shall come to pass; and that what has been promised to him shall be performed.”
Application
The Indian Contract Act of 1872 (Act IX of 1872) lays down certain general rules regarding contracts. The Act is not exhaustive. There are other Acts relating to particular types of contracts e.g. the Negotiable Instruments Act, Transfer of Property Act, etc.
The Contract Act does not affect nay usage or custom of trade, or any incident of any contract not inconsistent with the provisions of the Act.
The Essential Elements of a Contract
An agreement becomes enforceable by law when it fulfils certain conditions. These conditions, which may be called the Essential Elements of a Contract,