How is a unilateral offer accepted?

In the context of contract law, a unilateral offer is an offer made by one party in which acceptance can only be achieved through the performance of a specific act. This type of contract is characterized by the fact that the offeror promises to pay or provide something in exchange for the completion of that act by the offeree.

When the offeree performs the required act, this act constitutes acceptance of the unilateral offer, thereby binding the offeror to the terms of the agreement. For instance, if someone offers a reward for the return of a lost pet, the moment an individual locates and returns the pet, they have accepted the offer by performing the act of returning the pet.

Other forms of acceptance, such as verbal agreements or written acceptance, do not apply to unilateral offers since these offers are not accepted until the stipulated act is completed. Additionally, a counteroffer fundamentally alters the terms of the original offer and does not constitute acceptance. Thus, the correct understanding of the acceptance of a unilateral offer lies in recognizing that it is through the performance of the act specified in the offer that the offeree accepts and creates a binding contract.