What must a contract include to be valid and enforceable?

For a contract to be valid and enforceable, it is essential that it includes valuable consideration. Consideration refers to something of value that is exchanged between the parties involved in the contract. This could be money, services, goods, or a promise to act or refrain from acting in a certain way. The concept of consideration is crucial because it demonstrates that both parties are entering into the agreement willingly and are bound by mutual obligations.

Without consideration, a contract may be deemed a mere promise, which can lack enforceability in a court of law. For example, if one party promises to give a gift without receiving anything in return, this would not be considered a legally binding contract since there is no exchange of value. Thus, inclusion of valuable consideration ensures that both parties have something at stake, thus reinforcing the legitimacy of the contract.

While elements like written terms, signatures, and witnesses can support the enforceability of a contract and may be required in certain situations, the central requirement for all contracts is the presence of consideration.