What is coercion in the context of contract law?

In the context of contract law, coercion specifically refers to the act of threatening or committing acts that induce someone to agree to a contract. This involves the use of force, intimidation, or threats to compel a party to enter into an agreement against their will, thereby undermining the voluntary nature of consent that is essential for a valid contract. Coercion can make a contract voidable at the option of the coerced party because their agreement was not truly free.

The other options describe different concepts. Deception intended to secure an unfair gain relates to fraudulent misrepresentation, which is a separate issue concerning honesty and transparency in contracts. The idea of using dominance to gain an unfair advantage suggests a power imbalance but does not specifically denote the coercive means of inducing agreement. Agreement on the same thing in the same sense pertains to the concept of mutual consent or meeting of the minds, which is fundamental to the formation of a contract but does not involve coercion at all. Each of these alternatives points to distinct legal concepts that do not capture the essence of coercion as it applies to contract law.