You may have heard the term ‘consensus ad idem’ in legal speech, but what does it actually mean? It is a common phrase used in contract law. It ultimately means there must be a ‘meeting of the minds’. Hence, it is a fundamental requirement in the formation of a valid contract. Read our guide to find out why you cannot have a valid contract without it.
What is Consensus Ad Idem?
Consensus ad idem means agreement in Latin. It is a common term used in contract law. Ultimately, it means there has been a ‘meeting of the minds’ among all parties to the contract. Meeting of the minds essentially signifies a mutual comprehension of the content of the contract. It stipulates that parties understand and agree to the contractual terms. Therefore, if there is an inherent vagueness or ambiguity around the content of the contract, it will not be valid.
Requirements for a Valid Contract
As you may be aware, every contract must fulfil certain legal requirements in order to be valid. In Australia, there are four central requirements in the creation of a valid contract. These are:
- Agreement (offer and exchange of something)
- Capacity (to enter a contract)
- Consideration (exchange something of value)
- Intention (to create legal relations)
As consensus ad idem is the ‘meeting of the minds’, it fulfils the requirement of an ‘agreement’. Therefore, for there to be a valid agreement, there must be an offer and acceptance. It is important that the subject of the contract is understood by all parties. Hence, this means you must be clear in identifying the contents of the contract. Further, your acceptance cannot be conditional. Rather, you must mirror the offer.
Ultimately, without consensus ad idem, your contract is not valid. For a variety of contracts, you can customise our Legal Documents for free.
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Other Factors to Note
You should be aware that consensus ad idem is not found in a clause of a contract. Rather, it is established by looking at the scope of the agreement and whether the parties understand their obligations.
Hence, one party may argue that there has been no consensus ad idem. If they argue this successfully, the contract could be void. This is most common where there has been a lack of certainty or precision in a contract. For more information, you can read our guide ‘What Can Make a Contract Void?‘.
Concluding Thoughts
In conclusion, consensus ad idem denotes there has been a meeting of the minds. It ultimately means that each party has understood the terms and has accepted the contractual obligations. Therefore, without an agreement, or a ‘meeting of the minds’, your contract will not be valid. If you are unsure whether you have a valid contract, we recommend consulting a Contract Lawyer.
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