Acceptance sent through email; is the postal rule applicable?

Authors

  • Delphine Defossez European University Institute (EUI)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26512/lstr.v11i1.24847

Keywords:

Postal rule. Emails. Contract Law. Acceptance.

Abstract

Purpose ”“ This paper focuses on the application of the postal rule to email, due to the controversy surrounding the application of the “instantaneous” test to emails.

Methodology/approach/design ”“ This article analyses standards and literature on the formation of contract under English law. 

Findings ”“ Although the postal rule is an invention of its time, this rule could still play a role regarding emails. Indeed, due to the difficulties in applying the “instantaneous” test to emails, emails would still be subject to the postal rule. Of course, the postal rule in its current form is no more fitting the reality. However, the benefits that such rule provides should not be lost, instead a new rule could be drafted based on the postal rule.

Practical implications ”“ This article discusses the possible improvements to the already existing framework.

Originality/value ”“ This paper analyses the use of the postal rule to electronic contracts in the UK, a topic that is not much researched but could have great importance when doing electronic business.

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Author Biography

Delphine Defossez, European University Institute (EUI)

Delphine obtained two master’s degrees in law, one in Comparative International and European Law from the European University Institute (EUI), Florence, Italy, the other in International Commercial and Maritime Law from Swansea University, United Kingdom. Her Bachelor studies were in European Law at the University of Maastricht, The Netherlands, in which she also was selected for a researched based programme, Marble program, under the supervision of the Dean of the law faculty. E-mail: d.defossez91@gmail.com.

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Published

2019-05-20

How to Cite

DEFOSSEZ, Delphine. Acceptance sent through email; is the postal rule applicable?. Law, State and Telecommunications Review, [S. l.], v. 11, n. 1, p. 23–46, 2019. DOI: 10.26512/lstr.v11i1.24847. Disponível em: https://periodicos.unb.br/index.php/RDET/article/view/24847. Acesso em: 28 mar. 2024.