Contracts- Under Hand or By deed?

kronsington

Hi,


could anyone give me the benefits of executing a contract under seal as opposed to under hand? what are the risks involved of executing under hand ?



thanks,


K

Tom Young

Simply the length of time the limitation period which assigns to the form of the contract. I believe its 6 by hand and 12 by seal.

dermot_sheehan

Contracts by deed don't require consideration to enforce (you don't have to show the party seeking to enforce contributed something of value to the bargain).

Certain transactions must be by deed (e.g. land conveyances).

McCrack

Just to add that contracts made without consideration must be made under seal and specific contracts involving companies (any conveyance, any granting of a power of attorney and issuing co. share certs.) must have their seal impressed on the document.

Tom is right on the statute of limitations re right of action on a contract executed by hand or seal.

Maximilian

I always found the matter of seals somewhat curious.

Another document which is required to be executed under seal is a guarantee (or is it an indemnity - can't remember). I'm referring to individuals here, not companies.

The thing is, I'd say of maybe 50% of the guarantees I've ever seen, no seal is actually affixed or in some cases, became detached. Given that a lot of guarantees are being called in these days, I wonder what the ramifications are.

I may well be taking up a new job where I'm likely to see a lot of this, so I'm even more curious now. Anyone aware of any recent case law on the matter?

Tester46

Tom Young wrote: »

Simply the length of time the limitation period which assigns to the form of the contract. I believe its 6 by hand and 12 by seal.

There is also the issue that deeds may have to be delivered to be effective whereas a simple contract does not.

kronsington

ok, thanks for all that

im just drafting up some call option agreements and have to make it clear on the face of the document that these documents are intended to be treated as deeds.


any advice on suitable wording for this? cheers

Tom Young

No. Go get a solicitor or a precedent from somewhere.

nuac

Call option agreements, even if they relate to a property transaction are not deeds. They require some thought. See a solicitor.

dermot_sheehan

Guarantees don't have to be under seal although doing so removes any issue as to consideration.

Guarantees must however be in writing (statutes of frauds)

Maximilian

gabhain7 wrote: »

Guarantees don't have to be under seal although doing so removes any issue as to consideration.

Guarantees must however be in writing (statutes of frauds)

The matter of consideration can be a bit iffy with Guarantees though.

Victor

Was there some statutory change recently about under seal?

dermot_sheehan

Land and Conveyancing Reform Act 2009

s. 62 sets out that land can only be conveyed by deed now

s. 64 sets out formalities of a deed