What does the term "Legality of Object" in contract law mean?

The term "Legality of Object" in contract law specifically refers to the requirement that a contract must have a lawful purpose. This means that the subject matter of the agreement must not violate any laws or public policy. If a contract involves illegal activities, such as drug trafficking or fraud, it is rendered void and unenforceable from the outset, as courts will not uphold agreements that involve illegal acts.

For a contract to be valid, not only must the parties involved have the legal capacity to enter into the agreement, but the purpose of the contract must also be lawful. This principle ensures that the legal system does not support actions or agreements that contravene established laws or ethical standards. Without legality of object, a contract cannot exist in the eyes of the law, as it would lack foundational legitimacy.

The other options pertain to different aspects of contract law, such as the necessity of written contracts for certain types of agreements, the role of notarization in providing authenticity (though not always required), and the principle of consideration, which involves the exchange of value. However, none of these directly address the core concept of the legality of the contract's purpose as required by law.