Before a contract can be enforced in court, what must it have?

For a contract to be enforceable in court, it must comply with the statute of frauds. This legal doctrine necessitates that certain types of contracts be in writing and signed by the parties involved to be enforceable. The statute of frauds typically applies to agreements that involve significant commitments, such as real estate transactions, contracts that cannot be performed within a year, and contracts for the sale of goods exceeding a certain value.

This requirement is in place to prevent fraud and misunderstandings, ensuring that there is clear, tangible evidence of the agreement that can be presented in court if necessary. In contrast, while signatures from all parties may be important for clarity and mutual consent, they alone do not guarantee that a contract is enforceable without the compliance of the statute of frauds. Additionally, formal approval from a judge or a notary's seal is not a general requirement for contract enforceability under standard conditions.