An agreement that cannot be enforced by law refers to a contract or agreement that is not recognized by the legal system. Such a contract or agreement lacks legal validity and cannot be enforced in a court of law. This means that if one party defaults on their obligations under such an agreement, the other party cannot claim legal remedies.
Examples of agreements that cannot be enforced by law are those that violate public policy, those that lack consideration, and those that are made without the capacity to contract.
Agreements that violate public policy are those that are against the public interest. For example, an agreement to commit a crime or to engage in illegal activities is not enforceable by law. Similarly, an agreement that is discriminatory or that goes against moral or ethical standards may also be held as unenforceable by law.
An agreement that lacks consideration is also unenforceable. Consideration is something of value that is exchanged between the parties to a contract. For example, if you promise to pay someone $100 for mowing your lawn, the $100 is considered consideration. If no consideration is given, the agreement is considered a gift and cannot be enforced by law.
An agreement made without the capacity to contract is another example of an unenforceable agreement. For example, a contract signed by a minor or someone who is mentally incapacitated may not be legally binding. Similarly, a contract signed under duress or coercion may be considered unenforceable.
It is important to note that just because an agreement cannot be enforced by law does not mean that it is not valid. Parties to such agreements are still bound by their moral or ethical obligations to honor their commitments. However, if one party fails to uphold their obligations, the other party cannot seek legal remedies.
In conclusion, an agreement that cannot be enforced by law refers to a contract or agreement that is not recognized by the legal system. Examples of such agreements include those that violate public policy, those that lack consideration, and those that are made without the capacity to contract. While parties to such agreements are still bound by their moral or ethical obligation to uphold their commitments, they cannot seek legal remedies if the other party defaults. As such, it is important to ensure that any contract or agreement is legally valid and enforceable before signing.