Acceptance of An Offer

Acceptance

The expression of consent to the terms of an offer, which can be made orally, in writing, or by conduct.

Mirror Image Rule

The principle that an acceptance must exactly match the terms of the offer to create a valid agreement.

Unilateral Offer

An offer that can be accepted only by performing a specified act.

Bilateral Offer

An offer that requires acceptance through a return promise or mutual agreement.

Communication of acceptance

The process by which an offeree informs the offeror of their acceptance of an offer.

Receipt Rule

A rule stating that acceptance is communicated only when the offeror has actually received notice of it.

Postal Rule

A rule that states acceptance occurs when the letter of acceptance is posted, not when it is received.

Entores Ltd v Miles Far East Corp

A case establishing that acceptance in face-to-face communication is effective only upon the offeror's actual receipt of it.

Carlill v Carbolic Smoke Ball Co.

A landmark case affirming that in unilateral contracts, performance of the act is sufficient acceptance without prior communication.

Powell v Lee

A case confirming that communication of acceptance is only effective if made by an authorized person.

Felthouse v Bindley

A case establishing the general rule that silence cannot constitute acceptance of an offer.

Manchester Diocesan Council of Education v Commercial & General Investments Ltd.

A case indicating that if a specific mode of acceptance is specified by the offeror, that method must be used.

Brogden v Metropolitan Railway Co.

A case where acceptance was inferred from conduct, despite lack of explicit communication of acceptance.

Henthorn v Fraser

A case indicating that the postal rule applies when it was reasonable for the offeree to use the post.

Household Fire & Carriage Accident Insurance Co. Ltd. v Grant

A case affirming that acceptance occurs upon posting, even if the letter is delayed or lost.

Holwell Securities Ltd v Hughes

A case interpreting that the phrase 'notice in writing' required actual receipt and excluded the postal rule.