Question 1: Formation of contract - Intention to create legal relations

Close mates Stella, Thomas, Georgia, Mia and Harry meet at their local pub every Saturday night. One Saturday night, Stella mentions that the coming Thursday's Mega Lotto draw is for $50 million. Wanting to try their luck at winning the big prize and have some fun, the friends quickly decide to form a betting syndicate for the coming draw. They decide to each put in $50, pool their money together to buy lotto tickets. Thomas is tasked with the job of buying the lotto tickets. On Thursday, to the group's delight, one of their tickets is the winning ticket. Thomas. Who still holds the winning ticket, claims that there is no contract between them, that their arrangement is purely a social one and he is not legally obliged to share the prize. Is he correct? Answer this question in terms of contract law principles, particularly in relation to the element of intention to create legal relations.

Question 2: Offer to contract

Smriti has been eyeing a specific dress online and very much wants to buy it so she can wear at her best friend's wedding. At the moment, the price of the dress is $400, which is above her budget. She wonders whether she can afford to buy it in time for 2 her friend's wedding. One day, as she is walking past a dress shop in a shopping centre, she is delighted to see that the exact dress she desires is being sold in the store and what's more, a sign on the store window advertises "Special offer - nothing instore over $250". Smriti is excited because that price is the exact budget she has allocated for the dress. Advise Smrity on the status of this advertisement on the store window? Do the words "Special Offer" make it an offer? Explain to Smriti the different circumstances under which a retail advertisement may, or may not, be an offer.