What defines a contract?

A contract is fundamentally defined as a voluntary and enforceable arrangement between two or more parties. This definition emphasizes that all parties involved enter into the agreement of their own free will, without coercion or undue pressure. For a contract to be considered valid, it must fulfill several essential criteria: there must be an offer, acceptance, consideration (something of value exchanged), mutual consent, and a legal purpose.

The enforceability aspect is equally important; a valid contract can be upheld in a court of law, allowing parties to seek legal remedies if the terms are not fulfilled. In contrast, agreements that lack voluntary consent, such as coercive agreements or contracts formed under duress, do not qualify as legitimate contracts. Furthermore, while formal declarations of intent can indicate parties' willingness to enter into an agreement, they do not in themselves constitute a completed contract unless all essential elements are satisfied. Finally, governmental regulations may oversee contract law but do not define what a contract is on their own. Thus, the most accurate and comprehensive description of a contract is one that identifies it as a voluntary and enforceable arrangement.