Contracts and Minors (a person under 18 years of age)

Speak To Us Today

Your First Consultation Free

As we stated in our first article, The Basics to Contract Law, that the Common Law generally considers minors not to have the capacity to enter a contract, and any contract entered by a minor is voidable.

There are a number of general exceptions to this principle which are outlined below.

Contracts for Necessities

A contract by a minor for necessities is binding on both parties.  Necessities are determined by reference to the minor’s ‘existing life style’ and must be necessary for maintaining that lifestyle. Maintaining this lifestyle generally means food, clothing, shelter and access to medical treatment.

In defining supply of necessities, the courts have usually given the concept a wide interpretation – such as a contract of apprenticeship. However, in order for a contract of apprenticeship to meet the supply of necessities test, it must also be for the child’s benefit.

Nash v Inman [1908] 2 KB 1

Facts

Nash,a tailor on Savile Row, entered into a contract to supply Inman (a Cambridge undergraduate student) with, amongst other things, 11 fancy waistcoats.  Inman was a minor who was already adequately supplied with clothes by his father. When Nash claimed the cost of these clothes Inman sought to rely on lack of capacity and succeeded at first instance.

Held

Fletcher-Moulton LJ

‘An infant, like a lunatic, is incapable of making a contract of purchase in the strict sense of the words; but if a man satisfies the needs of the infant or lunatic by supplying to him necessaries, the law will imply an obligation to repay him for the services so rendered, and will enforce that obligation against the estate of the infant or lunatic.’

However, the foundation of such a claim is not contractual, but rather an obligation to make ‘fair payment in respect of needs satisfied.’

Buckley LJ

‘At common law … the contracts of an infant were voidable except such as were necessarily to his prejudice; these last were void.’

However, infants have a limited capacity to contract.  To succeed, the plaintiff had to prove the contract within this limited capacity, which his Honour defined as follows:

An infant may contract for the supply at a reasonable price of articles reasonably necessary for his support in his station in life if he has not already a sufficient supply. To render an infant's contract for necessaries an enforceable contract two conditions must be satisfied, namely, (1.) the contract must be for goods reasonably necessary for his support in his station in life, and (2.) he must not have already a sufficient supply of these necessaries.

This could not be satisfied here

Beneficial contracts of employment

A contract by a minor for employment is binding provided beneficial (not unfair or oppressive).  A minor can, however, repudiate such a contract upon adulthood.

How can a contract of employment be a benefit to the child?

In contrast to the ‘supply of necessities’, the courts tend to construe the concept of ‘benefit’ more narrowly, as a consequence, when assessing whether the contract is beneficial to the child, a balance between the advantages and disadvantages of the contract will generally be looked at. Furthermore, the contract will be looked at as a whole and the circumstances surrounding each individual case will also be looked at to see if the contract is a benefit to the minor.

Although, a contract of employment may be considered as benefitting a child if either it provides a means for self-support, or provides a means for gaining instruction or education, thus, allowing the child to earn a living via a trade or profession may be some of the relevant factors.

The effect of minority at common law

Contracts not falling within either of the above exceptions are voidable.  However, (apparently for the sake of causing confusion) the Courts treat ‘voidable’ in this context differently from voidable as normally understood in contract.  Where the contract results in the minor permanently acquiring property (eg land) or involves ongoing obligations (eg partnerships) then the contract is binding unless and until avoided by the minor – the minor remains bound by any obligations that arising prior to that point.

All other contracts entered into a minor are not binding unless ratified (taking positive steps to affirm) by a minor when they become an adult.

Speak to us Now on

or Request a Call Back.

We respond within 24 hours.
From Our Experience

Expert Insights That Matter to You

Get Help Today

Request a Call Back

Use the form to request a call back from one of our expert lawyers.

We respond within 24 hours.

Or Speak to us now on

Raea Khan Circle
Director Lawyer
Raea Khan

Raea is Managing Director and Principal Lawyer for PBl Law Group. Raea assists clients with major projects, property developments, construction and strata law.

He has worked in Western Australia and Queensland assisting with expansion projects in the energy and resource sector and now predominately advises clients in Strata and Community Association matters.

He is a member of the Australian College of Strata Lawyers where majority of his work is advising developers and owners corporations with dispute related minor and major defects, strata governance and common property litigation. He is proficient at leading negotiations and meetings.

Raea has a particular interest in the commercial aspect of any dispute and always tries to weigh up the risk, reward and benefit of legal proceedings at each different stage.

Raea enjoys all forms of competitive sport, including Crossfit and actively participates in Triathlons, representing Australia as an age group athlete. He was a member of Red Head Surf Lifesaving club.

  • Strata Law
  • Construction & Major Projects
  • Commercial and Business Law
  • Planning & Environment Law