In the world of business, agreements are made every day. But not all agreements are legally binding; only those that meet certain criteria can be considered contracts.

The key element that distinguishes a contract from a mere agreement is enforceability by law. In other words, if one party fails to meet their obligations under the agreement, the other party can take legal action to enforce the terms of the contract.

To be enforceable, a contract must meet several requirements. First and foremost, there must be a mutual agreement between the parties involved. This means that both parties must have a clear understanding of the terms of the agreement, and they must both willingly agree to those terms.

Secondly, there must be consideration exchanged between the parties. Consideration is anything of value that is exchanged as part of the agreement. This can be money, goods, or services rendered.

Thirdly, the terms of the agreement must be clear and specific. This means that the language used in the contract must be precise and unambiguous, leaving no room for interpretation.

Finally, the parties involved must have the legal capacity to enter into a contract. This means that they must be of legal age and mentally competent.

Once all of these elements are in place, the agreement becomes a legally binding contract. This means that if one party fails to meet their obligations under the contract, the other party has the right to seek legal remedies to enforce the terms of the agreement. This could include monetary damages or specific performance, which is a court order requiring one party to fulfill their obligations under the contract.

In summary, an agreement which is enforceable by law is a contract. To be considered a contract, the agreement must meet several requirements, including mutual agreement, consideration, clear and specific terms, and legal capacity. Once these elements are in place, the contract becomes legally binding, and both parties must abide by the terms of the agreement or face consequences.