The Mailbox Rule

The Mailbox Rule is a legal principle that dictates when an acceptance of an offer becomes effective in contract law. It states that if you accept an offer by mailing a response, the acceptance is considered valid as soon as it is sent, not when it is received by the offeror. This means that, as soon as you drop your acceptance in the mail, it creates a binding agreement, even if the other party hasn't read it yet. It helps to clarify when parties are legally bound, ensuring that communication methods do not delay contract formation.