New Jersey contract law is an exchange of promises that is enforceable by law. New Jersey contract law education and training includes a broad range of issues, such as the sale of property, the terms of employment or the settlement of a dispute.

NJ contract law allows both written and oral contracts. A written contract may be required when making a large purchase such as a car or house, while a smaller purchase like a book may be considered an oral contract. A contract typically requires the following three elements in order to be enforceable:

1. Mutual consent. The contract law of New Jersey requires that the parties agree on what the contract covers.
2. Mutual consideration. The parties must exchange something of value. A contract may not be enforceable if a party is already obligated to provide the consideration or if the consideration is essentially worthless.
3. Offer and acceptance. The contract contains an offer from one party that is accepted by the other party. A counter-offer is not an acceptance and is typically considered to be a rejection of the offer.
   

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Attend a law school that specializes in contract laws in NJ

There are a variety of universities in New Jersey that provide a concentration in commercial law or business law, which typically includes coursework on New Jersey contract law.

I recommend: Rutgers University School of Law provides a solid grounding in contract law as part of its first year schedule. Seton Hall University School of Law requires all of its first year students to take courses in contract law.

Obtain Continuing Legal Education (CLE) for a contract attorney in New Jersey

New Jersey requires attorneys to stay current on changes in the law through CLE courses. There are a variety of education and training programs in New Jersey that provide CLE credit in contract law.

I recommend: The New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education offers courses in contract law that meet the CLE requirements in New Jersey. CLE International offers CLE training in New Jersey on topics of contract law such as Eminent Domain.

Learn through professional training opportunities on contract law in New Jersey

Conferences, seminars and workshops are excellent methods for New Jersey contract lawyers to improve their knowledge of the law. This training is typically provided by professional associations, law firms or dedicated providers of legal training.

I recommend: The Middlesex County Bar Association holds regular seminars on legal topics, including contract law. The Bergen County Bar Association provides a regular schedule of seminars on contract law.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  A New Jersey contract law attorney should join professional organizations that are dedicated to the practice of contract law in NJ. These associations provide a number of resources essential for the practicing contract law attorney, including contact information for important courts, assistance with meeting CLE requirements and links to the recent contract law rulings.

New Jersey state contract law helps protect business owners entering into agreements with suppliers and contractors. Contract law in New Jersey helps keep boundaries between companies clear and working relationships positive.

A contract attorney in New Jersey makes it his business to protect yours. Having the right contract law attorney in New Jersey keeps business owners aware of their rights and responsibilities. Without a contract law attorney in NJ, the terms of your agreement may not be as clear as you need them to be.

Contract law in New Jersey allows businesses to agree on terms beneficial to both. With the right contract law in New Jersey, businesses grow in both size and profitability. Quality contract law in New Jersey helps reduce the need to go to court when clearly written. NJ Contract law will:

1. Protect business owners from law suits between New Jersey contract parties.

2. Provide clear guidelines between businesses and their contractors.

3. Help business owners maintain good relationships between themselves and their contractors.

4. Eliminate the need for court appearances and costly law suits related to New Jersey contract law issues.

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Work with an experienced contract attorney in New Jersey

Not all attorneys specialize in contract law. Finding an attorney who knows New Jersey contact law well is the first step to getting quality contracts.

I recommend: New Jersey contract lawyers, Conrad O'Brien Gellman & Rohn, P.C. of Cherry Hill and Lowenstein Sandler PC of Roseland, provide expert service in all areas of corporate law including contracts.

Understand how the independent contractor relationship works under contract law in New Jersey

More and more large companies enlist the services of independent contractors during times when business is heavy. Even independent contractors need the services of a quality legal team. Large companies who provide contractor services have the right legal team behind them to make sure you're getting what you pay for.

I recommend: The IRS website provides working definitions of what constitutes a contractor relationship for federal tax purposes. Nolo is a legal resource that further explains the difference between employees and independent contractors and their relationship under state contract laws.

Get a basic working knowledge of contract laws in NJ before entering into service contracts

It pays to have a basic understanding of some of your rights under New Jersey state contract law before visiting your contract law attorney. Good information helps you ask the right questions and understand some of the terms the attorney might use.

I recommend: FindLaw provides some basic information about contract law for the business owner or independent contractor. Lawyers.com has message boards so you can get feedback almost instantly.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Stay away from pre-printed contracts you might find on the Internet. NJ contract laws are highly specialized and having qualified legal counsel is priceless when entering into any contract.
• •  Don't ever sign a contract until you completely understand the terms of the agreement. Contracts are legally binding and difficult to break once signed.

Businesses in New Jersey and elsewhere run best when they operate according to contracts that are clearly written to avoid any confusion down the road. Getting acquainted with New Jersey Contract Law key terms is your first step toward understanding essential legal principles that will help you avoid unwanted lawsuits.

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Offer

The offer refers to the 'event' that starts contract negotiations. One party makes an offer and communicates that to another party who is free to accept or reject it. However, not every proposal communicated to another party is a valid legal offer.

I recommend: Find out the elements that make up a binding legal offer by reading contract basics at Lawyers.com.

Contract disputes

As the name implies, contract disputes arise when parties to an agreement discover that one or more of them has an understanding of contract terms that is at odds with the other parties.

I recommend: Learn how contract disputes occur and common methods for resolving them at Dunn Lambert. Find out how the terms of a contract can lend themselves to disputes over the intention of the original agreement.

Non-compete agreements

In New Jersey, as in other states, corporations usually require their senior managers and executives to sign non-compete agreements. By so doing, the executive agrees that he will not pursue employment with a company in direct competition with his immediate employer.

I recommend: Experienced employment attorneys like Steven Siegler, Esq. provide tips on how and when to negotiate terms of a non-compete agreement. You'll also learn how to comply with the duties imposed on you by a non-compete agreement that you've already signed.

Breach of contract

There is breach of contract when one party does not live up to their end of the bargain, either because they are unwilling or because they never fully understood the terms of the original agreement.

I recommend: Levy Ehrlich & Petriello provide examples of common breaches of contract in New Jersey. Find out some of the causes of breach of contract, who is responsible for causing them and common approaches to solving the problem.

Stock purchase agreement

In New Jersey, the sale of stock shares is done according to a stock purchase agreement.

I recommend: Go to Find Legal Forms to find out how a stock purchase agreement protects the interests of all parties involved in the transaction. You'll also learn about key elements and representations that these agreements contain.

Partnership agreement

New Jersey contract lawyers strongly urge that individuals planning to run a business or other enterprise together do so according to a well-planned partnership agreement.

I recommend: At Citizen Media Law Project, you'll learn how New Jersey law defines partnership agreements and some of the important steps in creating one.

Attorneys in New Jersey have good reason to stay informed on New Jersey contract law news and trends. Attorneys need to keep track of current forms and procedures in New Jersey contract law. A court can also make a new ruling in cases involving contract law, which can affect the way these attorneys do their jobs. Attorneys also may need to stay updated on what the public is saying about contract law, in order to correct any misconceptions they may have.

The best sources of information on news and trends for NJ contract law may be grouped into the following three categories:

1. Government websites on contract laws in NJ. These sites are the best source of official news on New Jersey contract law, such as current procedures or rulings.
2. Independent sources of news on New Jersey contract laws, such as blogs, magazines and newspapers. These sources are the most likely to provide news and opinions on contract law that do not rely on any particular business or lobby group.
3. Contract law attorneys. Legal professionals may be able to provide inside news and information on contract law.
   

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Find state websites with official news and other information on New Jersey contract law practices

New Jersey government websites are the best places to get the latest news about New Jersey contract law. A New Jersey government website also may publish the state statutes to help attorneys stay informed on the latest legislation that relates to New Jersey contract law.

I recommend: The law library at Rutgers School of Law contains recent court cases involving New Jersey contract law, such as Jen Electric, Inc. v. County of Essex. The State of New Jersey Department of Community Affairs provides current official information on contract law in New Jersey.

Examine independent sources of news and trends on NJ contract laws

Universities, law libraries and other organizations frequently report on recent court cases and legislative updates on New Jersey contract law. Individuals also may keep blogs and journals on contract law in New Jersey.

I recommend: NJ Business Law Blog discusses a recent decision the holds exculpatory clauses in commercial contracts to be enforceable. Construction Litigation Law Blog provides a post on contributory negligence in New Jersey construction contracts.

Find inside news on contract law from a contract attorney in New Jersey

A contract law attorney in New Jersey frequently has information on New Jersey law that is not available elsewhere. These attorneys may publish newsletters or full length articles on a particular aspect of contract law in New Jersey.

I recommend: Kelly & Visotcky provides articles on construction law in New Jersey that include a discussion of contractors' liens. Alpert Butler & Weiss specializes in contract law and offers an overview of New Jersey contracts.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  New Jersey contract laws specify the conditions under which a contract may be enforceable. Generally, a valid contract between party A and party B requires that party A gives something of value to party B, and party B must give something of value to party A. The two parties also must agree on the items of value. Contracts made under duress or coercion are generally unenforceable.