Elements of an Acceptance

In this activity, you'll be answering questions about the acceptance of an offer. Recall that for an acceptance to be valid there should be (1) a manifestation of intent to be bound by the acceptance to the contract, (2) agreement to the definite and certain terms of the offer, and (3) communication to the offeror.

Once an offer has been made, the offeree has the power to accept that offer and form a contract. Under the common law, the basic requirements for a valid acceptance parallel those for a valid offer. There should be a manifestation of intent to be bound by the acceptance to the contract, agreement to the definite and certain terms of the offer, and communication to the offeror.

Read the situations provided. Then, answer the accompanying questions.

A particularly gruesome murder occurred in a dark alleyway behind a local bar. The police investigated, but the murderer covered his tracks so well that they found no leads. As a result, a reward of $4,000 was offered for information leading to the arrest of the murder suspect. To receive the award, the information provided must be communicated by November 15, and also positively lead to the arrest of the murderer. An eyewitness, George, became aware of the reward after seeing a poster advertising it. At that point he decided to give the police evidence which led to the arrest of the murderer. George gave the information on November 13 via telephone to the police.

An offeror has the power to control the means by which the acceptance is communicated. So if the offeror specifies that only a certain means of communication will be accepted, then only an acceptance by that means forms a valid contract. What were the means that the police specified must be followed to form an acceptance? Did George's actions meet those means of communicating acceptance?