accepting contracts

[norrahe]

has anyone had any experience of accepting a contract verbally and then taking a contract elsewhere?

What's the norm, are there any legal implications, are you tied to the first verbally accepted contract?

[TykeMerc]

Literally speaking a verbal contract is every bit as legally enforcable as a written one, that being said it's a hell of a lot harder to enforce for obvious reasons.

[pmeswani]

Literally speaking a verbal contract is every bit as legally enforcable as a written one, that being said it's a hell of a lot harder to enforce for obvious reasons.

In England, a verbal contract is not legally enforceable under hearsay rules. Agencies, like any other company, are not allowed to record conversations without the consent and knowledge of the person they are speaking to. In Scotland, a verbal contract is legally enforceable, but am unsure if both parties have to be in Scotland or just the company.

However, I am not a Lawyer and the OP should seek legal advice before doing anthing potentially stoopid.

[norrahe]

haven't done anthing yet.

don't want to do anything unprofessional and jepordise a contract.

[pmeswani]

haven't done anthing yet.

don't want to do anything unprofessional and jepordise a contract.

You may do more than jepordise a contract. You will lose valuable contacts with the agency who got you the role. They may never find you a role again and you may end up being stranded in the long run.

[moorfield]

I always accept "subject to contract" - like buying a house.

[norrahe]

You may do more than jepordise a contract. You will lose valuable contacts with the agency who got you the role. They may never find you a role again and you may end up being stranded in the long run.

Agency is not one i would normally use and the role is out of my usual area.

am interviewing tomorrow for one role and have been put forward for other roles (which pay more and don't involve being out of the country for a year), also don't want to be pushed into making a decision too soon, as the clientco are pretty much deciding asap.

it may be a case of first come first served in the current market

[tim123]

In England, a verbal contract is not legally enforceable under hearsay rules.

Wot!

That is rubbish. Verbal contracts are completely enforcable. The only issue is that there is often weak evidence what was actually said.

As to your point about hearsay, if someone hears you say something that is direct evidence, not hearsay. Hearsay is "someone told me you said this".

Agencies, like any other company, are not allowed to record conversations without the consent and knowledge of the person they are speaking to.

Incorrect. A conversation can be recorded with the consent of one party. In this case, as long as the agent consents, it is legal.

tim

[norrahe]

I always accept "subject to contract" - like buying a house.

it's what i normally do as my accountant checks the contract for ir35 and other legal stuff prior to me signing.

but this all depends on how the interview goes tomorrow.

[TheFaQQer]

In England, a verbal contract is not legally enforceable under hearsay rules.

Bollox. A verbal contract is a binding contract under English law.

However, I am not a Lawyer and the OP should seek legal advice before doing anthing potentially stoopid.

That much is obvious.