Legally binding written agreement ?

Question

Can a written agreement be legally binding before money has been transferred? 

Such as, the agreement is a text which includes - the amount of money to be paid BANK TRANSFER (£300), the item being bought and the bank details. 

But, it was also agreed that £800 cash would be paid upon collection and the bank transfer was to also be paid upon day of collection which didn’t specify before collection or during. 

The seller backed out on the day of payment and collection for no valid reason. 

So I’m wondering if the text (written agreement) is legally binding? Because there was a specific day for transferring the money, but before the buyer could do so, the seller backed out of his OWN agreement.  

Answer 1

A written agreement isn't binding generally unless it is SIGNED. Texts back and forth do not constitute a contract.

Answer 2

You need to be clear in your question about 'legal contracts'.... fact is there is no contract unless there is an exchange of goods/services for money, unless there is a previous signed written contract and in the UK a text message is not a signed written legal contract..........



Then you go on to add comments to answers that you have called the police and they tell you it is a civil matter, which based on what you have asked it is a civil matter...and you would lose it if you sued



THEN you add another comment that this is a stolen dog you are trying to buy back........ theft is a criminal matter and the police DO deal with criminal matters...however if this person has contacted you, says they have 'found your dog' then it is very likely a scam to releive you of the money and they don't have the dog at all............ and if you know this person and they have taken the dog ( likely you claim it is yours/they claim it is theirs) then it is a civil matter and unless you can prove via a written reciept of purchasing the dog, you registered it in your name at the vets, you paid all the vet bills, you have it chipped in your name/your address .... you need all that to prove it is your property  and courts deal with property ownership and put a value on the dog...so even if you won court, it doesn't mean the dog will come back or its equivalent value and the longer it is not with you the less likely will it be to get it

Answer 3

you have the right to sue for specific performance in the appropriate court, yes

Answer 4

No a text is not legally binding in the UK.

Why are buying back a stolen dog , have you contacted the police?

This is fraud.

Answer 5

if there was a clause in the written agreement that says the buyer can back out prior to the collection, then yes the buyer can back out. and given that no collection date was specified, it gives the buyer even more power. but have a contract lawyer look over this written agreement to see what your rights are.

Answer 6

No transaction occurred. The amounts you are talking about are NOTHING. A text message is NOT a contract. So the seller didn't want to sell...FIND ANOTHER ONE. Sheesh.