Civil-law contracts

A contract is an agreement of two or more persons to create, change or end civil rights and duties. Its features are voluntariness, at least two parties, mutual rights and duties, and agreement on all proposed terms. A contract is concluded by an offer (a definite proposal to conclude it) and acceptance (unconditional acceptance of the proposal); an offer addressed to an indefinite circle of persons is a public offer (for example an online shop listing), and consent can be expressed by letter, SMS, electronic message or conduct. The contract is considered concluded when the person who sent the offer receives the acceptance; for contracts that require handing over property, from the moment of handover. Essential terms include first of all the subject of the contract, as well as the time of performance and other terms either party requires; penalties for breach of deadlines (a contractual penalty — a sum set by law or contract) may also be included. Contracts are distinguished by subject: sale (property passes for a price), exchange (one property swapped for another; unless agreed otherwise the things are presumed equal in value and a difference is compensated in money), gift (free transfer), charitable donation (free giving for public-benefit purposes), lease, work contract and others. A model contract usually has sections on the parties, the subject, rights and duties, price and settlement, liability, dispute resolution, term and details; unilateral cancellation or change is allowed only in cases provided by law or the contract.