Nudum pactum

Nudum pactum

A nudum pactum in Latin literally means 'Bare or Naked Promise.' In common law, it refers to a promise that is not legally enforceable for want of consideration. An example of a nudum pactum would be an offer to sell something without a corresponding offer of value in exchange. While the offer may bind a person morally, since the offer has not been created with any consideration, it is gratuitous and treated as a unilateral contract. The offer is therefore revocable at any time by the offeror before acceptance by the offeree.

In the US, the Uniform Commercial Code has invalidated the doctrine of nudum pactum as it applies to offers made by "merchants" under the firm offer rule under certain circumstances. It holds that those offers are legally enforceable in a manner similar to option contracts.

See also


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • nudum pactum — nu·dum pac·tum / nü dəm pak təm, nyü , päk / n [Medieval Latin, naked pact]: an agreement or promise that is made without consideration and hence unenforceable a mere nudum pactum compare gratuitous promise at promise …   Law dictionary

  • nudum pactum — nu‧dum pac‧tum [ˌnjuːdʊm ˈpæktʊm ǁ ˌnuː ] noun [countable, uncountable] a futures contract or options contract where the seller does not own the related shares etc; = NAKED CONTRACT; NUDE CONTRACT * * * nudum pactum UK US noun [C] …   Financial and business terms

  • Nudum pactum — Nu dum pac tum [L., a nude pact.] (Law) A bare, naked contract, without any consideration and therefore unenforceable in a court of law. Tomlins. [1913 Webster +PJC] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • nudum pactum — /nooh deuhm pak teuhm, nyooh /, Law. a simple contract or promise involving no legal considerations. [ < L nudum pactum lit., bare pact] * * * …   Universalium

  • nudum pactum ex quo non oritur actio — /n(y)uwdam paektam eks kwow non oratar aeksh(iy)ow/ Nudum pactum is that upon which no action arises …   Black's law dictionary

  • nudum pactum ex quo non oritur actio — /n(y)uwdam paektam eks kwow non oratar aeksh(iy)ow/ Nudum pactum is that upon which no action arises …   Black's law dictionary

  • Nudum pactum est ubi nulla subest cause propter conventionem; sed ubi subest causa fit obligatio, et parit actionem — A nudum pactum is where there is no consideration on account of the promise; but where there is a consideration, an obligation is effected, and it supports an action. See Broom s Legal Maxims 745, 746 …   Ballentine's law dictionary

  • nudum pactum — noun In common law, a promise that is not legally enforceable due to lack of consideration …   Wiktionary

  • nudum pactum — contract that cannot be enforced because on side benefits without putting forth any effort …   English contemporary dictionary

  • nudum pactum — Latin: nude contract An agreement that is unenforceable in British law because no consideration is mentioned. See contract …   Big dictionary of business and management

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