Template:In writing capsule: Difference between revisions

no edit summary
No edit summary
No edit summary
Line 3: Line 3:
Could “writing” include GIFs? [[Emoji]]s? We ''suppose'' so — but do you “write” them, as such? — but to the wider question “can [[emoji]]s be contractually significant?” the answer is undoubtedly ''yes''.
Could “writing” include GIFs? [[Emoji]]s? We ''suppose'' so — but do you “write” them, as such? — but to the wider question “can [[emoji]]s be contractually significant?” the answer is undoubtedly ''yes''.


Acceptance, to be legally binding, ''need not be “in writing”''. Nor “orally”. Acceptance just needs to be ''clear''. ''Whether'' one has accepted is a matter for the laws of ''[[evidence]]''. There is little doubt that one who has [[signed, sealed and delivered]] a parchment deed by quill in counterpart has accepted its contents — it is about as good evidence as you could ask for, short of the fellow admitting it in cross-examination — but a merchant need not, and often does not, reach this gold standard when concluding commercial arrangements about town. We have all stumbled morosely into the newsagent, pushed a copper across the counter and left with a copy of ''The Racing Post'', not having exchanged a word with the proprietor — barely making even eye contact. Do we doubt for an instant that a binding contract was formed during that terse interaction?
Acceptance, to be legally binding, ''need not be “in writing”''. Nor “orally”. Acceptance just needs to be ''clear''. ''Whether'' one has accepted is a matter for the laws of ''[[evidence]]''. There is little doubt that one who has [[signed, sealed and delivered]] a parchment deed by quill in [[counterpart]] has accepted its contents — it is about as good evidence as you could ask for, short of the fellow admitting it in cross-examination — but a merchant need not, and often does not, reach this gold standard when concluding [[Contract|commercial arrangements]] about town.  


Even for more substantial interactions there is, in theory, a whole ecosystem of non-verbal communications — winks, nods, wags, shaken heads, facial tics and cocked eyebrows — and nor should we forget, those who stand on distant hills and communicate by smoke signal, Greek heroes who mis-communicate their safe return by sail colour or modern admirals who transmit instructions to the fleet by means of flag sequence.  
Who has not stumbled morosely into the newsagent of a Sunday morning, wordlessly pushed a copper across the counter and left with a copy of ''The Racing Post'', not having exchanged as much as a glance with the proprietor? Do we doubt for an instant that a binding contract was formed during that terse interaction?
 
There is, in theory, a whole ecosystem of non-verbal communications — winks, nods, wags, shaken heads, facial tics and cocked eyebrows — and nor should we forget, those who stand on distant hills and communicate by smoke signal, Greek heroes who mis-communicate their safe return by sail colour or modern admirals who transmit instructions to the fleet by means of flag sequence.  


Any of these can, in theory, convey [[offer]], [[acceptance]] and [[consideration]] as well can a written or oral communication.
Any of these can, in theory, convey [[offer]], [[acceptance]] and [[consideration]] as well can a written or oral communication.