The Tale of the Unsigned Contract

[AlfredJPruffock]

One of my fellow contractors has brought this issue to my attention.

What does the panel think ?

He responded to an advertisement for a contract in London, the contract was for a company via an IT agency.

He attended and interview and was offered the position, however he did not sign the contract as he received a better offer, and informed the agent a week before the contract was due that he was unable to start.

The agent was annoyed at this and told the contractor that he was concerned that by not signing he could harm the agents relationship with its client.

In the absence of a signed contract I dont think he should be unduley concerned, what does the panel think?

[Lucifer Box]

Well, they say (and it's true) that an oral agreement is binding. However, it is by its very nature rather difficult to prove in court. In all likelihood the agent is just trying to scare your friend and he/she shouldn't lose any sleep over it.

[AlfredJPruffock]

Well, they say (and it's true) that an oral agreement is binding. However, it is by its very nature rather difficult to prove in court. In all likelihood the agent is just trying to scare your friend and he/she shouldn't lose any sleep over it.

Thanks LB.

I thought likewise, had he signed the contract it would have been a different kettle of fish of course.

[The Lone Gunman]

As ever, IANAL. All you, sorry, your friend has to do is to state that he was willing to start but found the contract terms to be outside his requirements so declined. He understood that any verbal agreements were dependant on suitable contract terms.

[Lucifer Box]

As ever, IANAL. All you, sorry, your friend has to do is to state that he was willing to start but found the contract terms to be outside his requirements so declined. He understood that any verbal agreements were dependant on suitable contract terms.

Pedantic nitpick for old-timers like me:

Verbal = written
Oral = spoken

I'll have no truck with this modern revisionism of meanings.

[The Lone Gunman]

Pedantic nitpick for old-timers like me:

Verbal = written
Oral = spoken

I'll have no truck with this modern revisionism of meanings.

Well I never, you learn something new every day!