A contingent contract involves terms that are enforceable by law only when specific, future events occur. If the event doesn't happen, the contract may not be enforceable. Unlike standard contracts, which are automatically enforceable once signed, a contingent contract becomes valid only if certain conditions are met.
Advantages of Contingent Contracts: Risk Mitigation: Contingent contracts help mitigate risks by ensuring that parties are not bound by the contract until certain conditions are met. This protects against unforeseen events or circumstances that may affect the performance of the contract.
Contingency Contract Examples If you fail to secure the financing within the stipulated period, either party may terminate the contract without any legal consequences. Another simple example is a child who agrees with their parent that they would receive a new bicycle if they receive an A in a specific class.
In the case of conditional contracts, conditions that need to be fulfilled are certain, i.e., bound to happen, which is not the case with contingent contracts, as such conditions may or may not happen.
Also, the insurance contracts are time-barred contracts and if the uncertain event does not happen within the time period, the contract stands void. Contingent contracts are those contracts that become enforceable upon the happening or not happening of an event.