Direct Tax Services
Audit
Consulting
ESG Advisory
RBI Services
SEBI Services
IRDA Registration
FEMA Advisory
Compliances
IBC Services
VCFO Services
Growing
Developing
ME-1
ME-2
EU-1
EU-2
SE
Others
Select Your Location
Internet has completely revolutionized people’s way of communicating. Now the way people do business is totally different from what people used to a decade ago. Further, Internet is a new culture and is used across the globe. In the below article we would be discussing about E-Contracts. Since the internet is no more limited for just mere communication or computing and analyzing of data, online contracts popularly known as E–Contracts are now the order of the day.
However there is no difference between online and offline contracts. Hence, online contracts are still contracts and all the rules applicable to general contracts is equally applicable.
Table of Contents
Before knowing anything about e- contracts, we should know what an actual contract is and what its essentials are.
The Indian Contract Act, 1872 defines contract as an agreement between two or more parties for the buying and selling of goods or services for a valid consideration.
The essentials to a contract are also some of the essentials to an e-contract also which are as follows:
Now since we are well aware about the basic contract and its essentials, now let us try to understand about the E-Contracts.
E – Contracts are contracts which are not paper based and are completely electronic in nature. Further it supports speedy contract or executed in accordance to the convenience of the parties. Such contracts are best made between parties who live in two different parts of the world and have to enter into an agreement.
However, The requirement of a digital signature is also needed to enter into a contract. Even though both the parties to the contract are sitting miles away from each other e- contract is possible. It is the most convenient method to enter into a contract without being physically present and get exhausted.
Moreover, E-contract is also deployed by a software system.
The two main parties to an e-contract are
According to the IT Act, 2008, Originator is a person who sends, generates, stores or transmits an electronic message to be sent, generated, stored or transmitted to any other person and does not include an Intermediary.
According to the IT Act, 2008, Addressee is a person who is intended by the originator to receive the electronic record but does not include any Intermediary.
Provisions of the Information Technology Act, 2000 (IT Act) especially Section 10-A of the Act give legal recognition to an electronic (E -Contract). Section 10-A of the IT Act which states:
Where in a contract formation, the communication of proposals, the acceptance of proposals, the revocation of proposals and acceptances, as the case may be, are expressed in electronic form or by means of an electronic record, such contract shall not be deemed to be unenforceable solely on the ground that such electronic form or means was used for that purpose.”
The above provision was introduced by the Information Technology (Amendment Act), 2008 after recognizing the growing dependence of the people on electronic means to reach commercial agreements. Moreover, the above provision applies where contract formation, communication of the proposal and acceptance of the proposal is totally carried out electronically.
The High Court of Delhi in the case of Societe Des Products Nestle S.A and Anr Vs Essar Industries and Ors:
In this case legally recognize and lay the foundation for the immediate introduction of Section 65 A and 65 B in the Indian Evidence Act, 1872. This relates to the admissibility of the computer generated evidences in a practical way to eliminate the challenges to electronic evidence.
As per section 65 A of the said Act, the contents of the electronic records can be easily proved by parties in accordance with section 65 B of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872.
Similarly, in the case of “The Delhi High Court in the case of State of Delhi Vs Mohd. Afzal and Others”
In this case, the court held and stated that “Electronic records are admissible as evidence.”
E- Contracts can be broadly classified into:
The only essential requirement to validate an E-Contract is compliance with the necessary pre- requisites as per Indian Contract Act, 1872 like
Moreover, E-mail, internet and fax are the different ways of communication through which e-contracts can be entered. Some of them are as follows:
Well, if you are enough motivated to execute an e- contract. You can share the details with us and we will formulate a strong contract for you. We shall ensure that the correctly drafted and legally viable e-contract is executed through us.
You can simply attach digital signatures to the e-contract and then it will be executed in seconds. Further, there is no need for delayed couriers and additional travelling costs. This modern technology was not recognized by the legislatures initially. However, now many countries have passed laws to recognize electronic contracts.
Mr. Neelansh Gupta is a Legal Counsel having extensive in-depth knowledge of various laws. He has completed his graduation in law and has experience in IPR, Taxation and Corporate laws.
Many investors use fixed deposits as their primary investment vehicle. Investors with a high-ri...
The main idea of CDS, which was initially to give banks a way to transfer credit exposure, has...
Black money has been the subject of heated political debate in India for a long time. Successiv...
The Apex Court pronounced a judgement in the case titled Tata Motors Vs The Brihan Mumbai Elect...
Since economies are moving towards digitalisation and making it feasible to conduct transaction...
The Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) Pro-rata and Pari-Passu Rights Proposal Consultation Pa...
The Financial Action Task Force, i.e. FATF (the Force), is the global money laundering and terr...
Advance tax refers to the payment of the tax liability before the end of the relevant financia...
On 11.12.15, the Hon’ble Delhi High Court (HC) pronounced a landmark judgement in the case ti...
Money laundering can be defined as the process of illegal concealment of the origin of money ob...
Are you human?: 4 + 4 =
Easy Payment Options Available No Spam. No Sharing. 100% Confidentiality
Share Purchase Agreement in case of NBFC formal agreement that is signed between the buyers and sellers to affect t...
20 Sep, 2018
Memorandum of Understanding between (Partner) and (Partner) This Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU” or “Agr...
01 Feb, 2018
Red Herring Top 100 Asia enlists outstanding entrepreneurs and promising companies. It selects the award winners from approximately 2000 privately financed companies each year in the Asia. Since 1996, Red Herring has kept tabs on these up-and-comers. Red Herring editors were among the first to recognize that companies such as Google, Facebook, Kakao, Alibaba, Twitter, Rakuten, Salesforce.com, Xiaomi and YouTube would change the way we live and work.
Researchers have found out that organization using new technologies in their accounting and tax have better productivity as compared to those using the traditional methods. Complying with the recent technological trends in the accounting industry, Enterslice was formed to focus on the emerging start up companies and bring innovation in their traditional Chartered Accountants & Legal profession services, disrupt traditional Chartered Accountants practice mechanism & Lawyers.
Stay updated with all the latest legal updates. Just enter your email address and subscribe for free!
Chat on Whatsapp
Hey I'm Suman. Let's Talk!