Legal Definitions - unilateral act

A unilateral act refers to a legal action or declaration made by one party that creates legal effects or obligations without requiring the agreement, consent, or participation of any other party for its validity.

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• Creating a Will: When an individual drafts and properly executes a will, they are performing a unilateral act. The will dictates how their assets will be distributed after their death. The legal validity and effect of the will depend solely on the will-maker's intentions and adherence to legal formalities, not on the agreement or participation of the beneficiaries named in the will.

  This illustrates a unilateral act because the will-maker alone determines the terms and creates the legal framework for asset distribution, which becomes effective upon their death, without needing anyone else's consent.

• Revoking a Power of Attorney: If a person (the principal) has previously granted a power of attorney to another individual (the agent), they can unilaterally revoke that power. This means the principal can terminate the agent's authority to act on their behalf without needing the agent's agreement or consent.

  This demonstrates a unilateral act because the principal, by their own decision and action, can legally nullify a previously granted authority, thereby altering the legal relationship without input from the agent.

• Public Offer of a Reward: A person who posts a notice offering a reward for the return of a lost pet or item is making a unilateral offer. The act of making this offer creates a legal obligation on the offeror to pay the reward to anyone who performs the requested act (e.g., finds and returns the pet), without requiring prior negotiation or agreement from potential finders.

  This is a unilateral act because the offeror, through their sole declaration, establishes a potential legal obligation that can be accepted by performance, without needing a reciprocal promise or agreement from another party at the time the offer is made.