In English law, the postal rule is an exception to the general requirement for acceptance of contracts to be communicated, stating that acceptance is effective upon posting, rather than when received by the offeror.
The postal rule applies when acceptance by mail is considered appropriate. Once acceptance is correctly posted, a binding contract is immediately formed, regardless of delays or failure in delivery.
The rule provides certainty and protection for offerees, enabling reliance upon acceptance once dispatched. Offerors must clearly specify acceptance methods if postal rule application is undesired.
The postal rule does not apply to instantaneous forms of communication such as email, fax, or telephone.
August 28, 2025
Holwell Securities attempted to exercise an option to purchase property by posting a letter which never reached the defendant. The Court of Appeal held that the postal rule did not apply because the option required 'notice in writing to' the vendor, meaning actual communication was necessary. The appeal was dismissed....
August 28, 2025
Entores made an offer via Telex from London, which was accepted by Telex from Amsterdam. The Court of Appeal held that for instantaneous communications like Telex or telephone, a contract is complete when acceptance is received by the offeror, not when sent. The contract was therefore made in London where...
August 27, 2025
Facts The defendants, wool-dealers in St. Ives, sent a letter to the plaintiffs, who were woollen manufacturers in Bromsgrove, on 2 September 1817, offering to sell them a quantity of wool. The defendants required an answer ‘in course of post’. Critically, the defendants misdirected this letter to ‘Bromsgrove, Leicestershire’, instead...
April 1, 2026
National Case Law Archive
March 31, 2026
National Case Law Archive
March 31, 2026
National Case Law Archive