Previously, carrying business activities were not that cumbersome, at least from a legal standpoint. But from the late decades, development has made it difficult for the business enthusiast to start a business or trade, making the Contract a vital part of the businesses. Entering into a contract also plays a vital role for those who want to start a business in association with other individuals or firms. While formulating the terms of the contract, one should be aware of a legal term called Incompetent to Contract. In this write-up, we will discuss this term in brief.
Importance and Foundation of Competent Contract
Contracts are essential as they enclose rights, duties of the parties, and the solutions in case of default. Apparently, before entering into a business contract, one must understand the fundamental of contracts, which are eligible and incompetent to contract.
It’s worth noting that competency is a vital factor that laid the foundation of a contract. The term Incompetent to Contract adheres to utmost importance as far as the contract formation is concerned. In this article, we will unfold the concept of the same in detail.
Fundamentally, a contract is defined as an agreement that is legally enforceable in nature. In order to adhere with the enforceability, the agreement must ensure conformity with the provisions cites under section 10 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872.
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Which Agreements is Eligible to be Called Valid Contract?
Section 10 of The Indian Contract Act, 1872, mentions that the agreement which meets the following criteria would be deemed as Contract.
It is evident from the list that parties’ competency is one of the critical essentials of the Contract. The Contract will cease to exist if it found that the parties are incompetent to contract.
Individuals Eligible to Contract & Incompetent to Contract
Section 11 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872, states the individual that seems valid on the legal grounds with a fair track record of mental condition is said to be competent to contract. The given individuals are incompetent to contract in the legal context.
Contractual Capacity of Minors
An individual is regarded as a major when he/she completed the age of 18. It has been cited in Section 3 of the Indian Majority Act, 1875 as, “every Indian national shall attain the age of majority as soon as he/she passes the minimum age limit i.e.18 years.
People serving the age below this limit shall be acknowledged as minor. In our country, minors are not eligible to be a part of the Contract. Any contract that encloses a person below this age limit will stand legally unenforceable.
Plead Minority in Defense
The agreement that involves a minor will be treated as non-legitimate or invalid. According to Law, a minor cannot be a part of a legal agreement, but he/she can be a beneficiary to one. This provision is included in The Indian Partnership Act, 1932, which states that a person who is not major cannot serve as a partner in the partnership-based company but can reap benefits accrued from it.
In cases where the minor has illegally modulated his/her age and signed a contract, he/she can plead a minority in defense which lets him/her skip the rule of estoppels that become prevalent in such cases.
Contract of a Minor by Guardian
In some scenarios, the minor’s parent can enter into a contract on his/her behalf to serve a specific purpose. However, in such cases, the parent cannot force the minor by the Contract to be a part of a transaction related to immovable property. The position related to the agreement of minor and its effect-
- Minor’s agreement stands legally unenforceable.
- The minor cannot be subjected to the Law of estoppels.
- Section 70 of the Indian Contract Act states that minors cannot be subjected to the doctrine of restitution.
- A contract signed by the minors cannot be ratified as it stands legally unenforceable from the beginning itself.
- A minor can act as an agent, but he/she will not be held personally accountable for his/her acts.
- If a minor is provided with necessities of life, the person who has provided them is eligible to receive the minor’s property reimbursement. Section 68 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872, states that the minor is provided with necessities, the individual who provided them are entitled to reimbursement from the minor’s property, but the minor may not stand liable for it personally.
Person Incompetent to Contract with Specific Mental Conditions
Under Section 12 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872, an individual who is not in a condition to make rational judgments cannot enter into the Contract. A person suffering from periodic mental issues can sign a contract in a state of healthy mental condition. Similarly, signing the Contract in the state of unhealthy mental condition would void the Contract.
Definition of Unsound Mind
Following individuals are being acknowledged as of the unsound mind, which are as follows:-
- Lunatics- An individual with unbalance mental condition is regarded as Lunatic. State of lunacy doesn’t necessarily disrupt the individual consistently. Some individuals may confront intervals of lunacy.
The state of lunacy is not permanent; therefore, a Contract signed with lunatics shall not void in a state of healthy mental condition. In case of a contract made regarding the supply of necessities, the Lunatic’s property can be made liable, but he/she will not stand liable for such a contract.
- Mental Idiocy- An individual whose mental condition is entirely disrupted is said to be an idiot. Idiocy is a permanent so an agreement with such individual shall stand legally unenforceable.
- Intoxicated Person- A person with intense drinking habits and possesses an unstable mental condition is incompetent to contract.
In view of the existing bylaw, the disqualified persons are not eligible to enter into a Contract due to several reasons such as legal, political[1], or corporate status. Following is a list that encloses individuals who are incompetent to contract:-
- Alien Enemy
- Convicts
- Foreign Ambassadors
- Company bodies
- Insolvents
Conclusion
Now, it is evident from the information above that a contract must stands legally competent to contract. The legally enforceable agreement could not allow a person to be part of it unless he/she satisfied the criteria related to age, mental condition, and legality. A minor or mentally unstable person is incompetent to contract.
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