A one-sided contract is also known as a unilateral contract. This type of contract places all of the legal obligations and responsibilities on one party, while the other party does not have any obligations to fulfill. This may sound unfair, but unilateral contracts are actually quite common and can provide benefits to both parties involved.

One example of a unilateral contract is an open-ended job offer. An employer may announce that they are hiring and invite qualified applicants to submit their resumes. If a candidate submits a resume and the employer subsequently offers them a job, the candidate is under no obligation to accept. However, if the candidate accepts the job offer, they are legally bound to fulfill the duties of the job, while the employer is not required to provide any specific length or terms of employment.

Another example of a unilateral contract is a reward for lost property. If someone loses a valuable item and offers a reward for its return, anyone who finds the item can choose to return it in exchange for the reward. The person who lost the item is obligated to pay the reward if someone finds and returns the property, but the finder is not required to search for or return the item.

Unilateral contracts are often used in situations where one party wants to encourage a certain behavior or outcome, but does not want to force anyone to comply. By offering something of value, such as a job, reward, or prize, the party can incentivize others to take certain actions, while still maintaining their freedom to choose.

It is important to note that unilateral contracts must still meet certain legal requirements to be enforceable. For example, the offer must be clear and specific, and the party accepting the offer must do so with full knowledge of the terms and conditions. If these criteria are not met, the contract may be considered invalid or unenforceable.

In conclusion, a one-sided contract is also known as a unilateral contract. While it may seem unfair to place all of the legal obligations on one party, unilateral contracts can be mutually beneficial and are often used to encourage certain behaviors or outcomes. If you are considering entering into a unilateral contract, it is important to understand the terms and conditions and seek legal advice if necessary.