Which legal principle requires certain contracts to be in writing?

The legal principle that requires certain contracts to be in writing is known as the Statute of Frauds. This doctrine is designed to prevent fraudulent claims and misunderstandings in significant transactions by mandating that specific types of agreements be documented in writing to be enforceable in a court of law. The categories typically covered by the Statute of Frauds include contracts involving the sale of land, agreements that cannot be performed within one year, and certain types of agreements in the sale of goods above a specified amount.

The rationale behind this requirement is rooted in the understanding that written contracts provide clear evidence of the terms agreed upon by the parties involved, thereby reducing the likelihood of disputes regarding the existence or specifics of the contract. This principle serves to protect all parties by ensuring that they have a tangible record of their obligations and rights.

The other options do not pertain to the requirement for certain contracts to be in writing. For instance, the Statute of Limitations deals with the time period within which legal actions can be initiated. A Mandatory Statute typically refers to laws that require certain actions to be taken without discretion, and an Indeterminate Statute might refer to laws that are vague or not precisely defined, which does not relate to the writing requirement for contracts.