Under the Statute of Frauds, what happens if a contract is not in writing?

The Statute of Frauds requires certain types of contracts to be in writing to be enforceable in a court of law. This typically includes contracts related to the sale of land, contracts that cannot be completed within one year, and contracts involving significant sums of money. If a contract falls under the categories specified by the Statute of Frauds but is not in writing, it is generally deemed unenforceable, meaning that one or both parties cannot compel the other to perform under the contract through legal means.

This is significant because it serves to prevent fraudulent claims and misunderstandings in contractual agreements. Without a written record, it becomes challenging to prove the terms and existence of the agreement, which is the rationale behind the statutory requirement for such contracts to be documented. Thus, if a contract that is required to be in writing is not written down, it does not hold legal weight in terms of enforcement.