Legal Definitions - Unilateral

Unilateral describes an action, decision, or declaration made by one party or side, without the involvement, agreement, or participation of other parties who might typically be expected to be involved. It signifies a single-sided initiative or determination.

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• Example 1: A Reward Offer

  Imagine a person posts flyers around their neighborhood offering a $500 reward for the safe return of their lost cat. This is considered a unilateral offer.

  Explanation: The person offering the reward makes a promise (to pay) without requiring anyone else to make a promise in return. The "contract" is formed only when someone performs the requested action (returns the cat), not through a mutual agreement beforehand. The offer comes from one side only.

• Example 2: A Nation's Policy Change

  A particular country decides to withdraw from an international climate agreement and implement its own environmental policies, without consulting or seeking approval from the other signatory nations.

  Explanation: This is a unilateral action because the country is acting independently, making a significant decision and taking steps on its own, rather than as part of a joint effort or agreement with other nations involved in the original pact.

• Example 3: An Employer's Policy Update

  A company's management announces a new mandatory dress code policy for all employees, effective immediately, without any prior discussion, negotiation, or input from employee representatives or a union.

  Explanation: This change is unilateral because the management made the decision and implemented the policy solely from their side. They did not involve or seek agreement from the employees or their representatives in the decision-making process.