Hamer v. Sidway

Hamer v. Sidway (1891) is a landmark legal case about contract law. It involved an uncle who promised his nephew $5,000 if he would refrain from drinking, smoking, and gambling until he turned 21. The nephew complied, but when the uncle died, the estate refused to pay. The court ruled in favor of the nephew, stating that his forbearance (the act of giving up certain pleasures) constituted valid consideration for the contract. The case highlights that a promise can be enforceable when one party gives up a legal right or benefit as part of an agreement.