Glossary · Contracts
Statute of Frauds
statute-of-frauds-21ae7b9294585c11-2026-07-28
- Type
- Glossary
- Jurisdiction
- National
- Date
- 2026-07-28
- Topic
- Contracts
A rule requiring certain categories of contracts to be evidenced by a signed writing to be enforceable, including contracts for the sale of land, agreements that cannot be performed within one year, and sales of goods above a threshold amount. The writing need not be formal, but it must capture the essential terms and be signed by the party being sued. Partial performance and other exceptions can take an oral deal outside the statute.
Definition
A rule requiring certain categories of contracts to be evidenced by a signed writing to be enforceable, including contracts for the sale of land, agreements that cannot be performed within one year, and sales of goods above a threshold amount. The writing need not be formal, but it must capture the essential terms and be signed by the party being sued. Partial performance and other exceptions can take an oral deal outside the statute.
Statute of Frauds. A rule requiring certain categories of contracts to be evidenced by a signed writing to be enforceable, including contracts for the sale of land, agreements that cannot be performed within one year, and sales of goods above a threshold amount. The writing need not be formal, but it must capture the essential terms and be signed by the party being sued. Partial performance and other exceptions can take an oral deal outside the statute. Example: The handshake deal to sell the warehouse failed under the statute of frauds because nothing was ever signed.