Noun

1. A contract-law term which stands for those agreements which are without consideration, such as a unilateral undertaking, which may bind a person morally, but not under contract law, in those jurisdictions which still require consideration.

See also

• commercial law
• contract

Etymology

From Latin ndum the neuter form of ndus meaning "nude" or "bare" + pctum meaning "bargain" or "agreement". pctum

Noun

nudum pactum (plural nudum pacta)

1. (law) In common law, a promise that is not legally enforceable due to lack of consideration.

Further reading

A nudum pactum in Latin literally means 'Bare or Naked Promise.' In common law, it refers to a promise that is not legally enforceable for want of consideration. An example of a nudum pactum would be an offer to sell something without a corresponding offer of value in exchange. While the offer may bind a person morally, since the offer has not been created with any consideration, it is gratuitous and treated as a unilateral contract. The offer is therefore revocable at any time by the offeror before acceptance by the offeree.

In the US, the Uniform Commercial Code has invalidated the doctrine of nudum pactum as it applies to offers made by "merchants" under the firm offer rule under certain circumstances. It holds that those offers are legally enforceable in a manner similar to option contracts.

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