Simple English definitions for legal terms
Read a random definition: litem suam facere
Matching-Acceptance Rule: This is a rule that says when someone makes an offer to do something, the person who accepts the offer must agree to do exactly what was offered without changing anything. This is important because it helps make sure that both people understand what they are agreeing to and that there are no misunderstandings. In some cases, there are laws that say this rule must be followed, but in other cases, people can agree to change the terms of the offer if they want to.
The matching-acceptance rule, also known as the mirror-image rule, is a principle in contract law that states that the acceptance of an offer must be positive, unconditional, unequivocal, and unambiguous. This means that the terms of the acceptance must correspond exactly with those of the offer, and must not change, add to, or qualify the terms of the offer.
For example, if a seller offers to sell a car for $10,000, and the buyer responds by saying "I accept, but only if you include new tires," this would not be considered a valid acceptance under the matching-acceptance rule. The buyer's response changes the terms of the offer, and therefore does not match the original offer.
The purpose of the matching-acceptance rule is to ensure that both parties have a clear understanding of the terms of the contract, and to prevent misunderstandings or disputes that could arise if the terms of the acceptance differ from those of the offer.