What is the outcome for the coerced party in a contract?

When a party is coerced into a contract, the legal principle governing such situations is that the coerced party typically has the option to void the contract. Coercion undermines the voluntary nature of an agreement, which is a fundamental element of contract law. A person cannot freely consent to a contract if they have been forced or threatened into it, making the contract potentially unenforceable.

Thus, when coercion is proven, the affected party has the right to void the contract. This means they can declare that the contract is not valid and relieve themselves of any obligations that arose from it. This protection is in place to ensure that individuals are not held to agreements they were compelled to enter under duress or threat of harm.

In contrast, other options such as being bound by the contract terms regardless of circumstances, seeking mediation before taking any steps, or demanding renegotiation do not align with the legal protections afforded to individuals who are coerced into contracts. These options do not acknowledge the coercive circumstances affecting the validity of the agreement.