Stipulations are conditions or restrictions that are made a part of a legal agreement. Stipulations may be binding legal obligations on both parties or may be intended to provide guidance on how the agreement should be interpreted. Stipulations are usually included in contracts to make sure that all parties involved understand the terms and obligations of the agreement. There are two main types of stipulations: mandatory and non-mandatory. Mandatory stipulations are those that must be followed or the agreement is considered void. These stipulations are usually written in language that is very clear and specific and are considered the most important part of any agreement. Non-mandatory stipulations are those that do not need to be followed in order for the agreement to remain in effect. These stipulations are usually intended to provide guidance on how the agreement should be interpreted, in order to avoid any ambiguity.