What defines a unilateral contract?

A unilateral contract is characterized by one party making a promise that invites acceptance from another party, typically through performance. This means that one side holds an obligation while the other side's acceptance is conditional upon fulfilling the specified action or requirement. For example, if someone offers a reward for the return of a lost item, the person making the offer has an obligation to pay the reward once the item is returned, but the finder is not obliged to return the item; they can choose to accept the offer by performing the action of the return.

The essence of a unilateral contract is that the offeror's promise is contingent on the offeree performing a specified act. This differentiates it from other types of contracts in which both parties are bound by mutual obligations; in a unilateral contract, the obligation rests solely with the offeror until the act is completed. Understanding this structure is crucial for recognizing how unilateral contracts function within legal frameworks and practical applications.