Section 47 The Indian Contract Act, 1872
Certainly! Here's a detailed explanation of Section 47 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872:
⚖️ Section 47 – Time for Revocation of Offer
“When a promise is made with a time limit for acceptance, the offer must be accepted within that time; otherwise, the offer lapses (i.e., it is no longer valid). If no time is specified, then the offer must be accepted within a reasonable time. An offer cannot be accepted once it is revoked.”
🔍 Bare Act Language:
“When a proposal is made, it may be revoked at any time before the communication of its acceptance is complete as against the proposer, but not afterwards.”
✅ Explanation in Simple Terms:
This section deals with the time within which an offer must be accepted, and when it can be revoked.
The proposer (the one making the offer) can revoke the offer before the acceptance is communicated to them.
But once the acceptance is communicated and reaches the proposer, the offer cannot be revoked.
📘 Illustration:
A makes an offer to B on 1st July, and says, “You can accept this offer by 5th July.”
B posts a letter of acceptance on 4th July.
A receives it on 6th July.
A cannot revoke the offer after 4th July, because acceptance was complete against him when it was posted.
🧠 Key Points:
If the proposer revokes the offer before acceptance is communicated, the revocation is valid.
Once acceptance is communicated, the contract is formed and revocation is not possible.
If no time limit is mentioned, acceptance must be made within a reasonable time.
🏛️ Case Law:
Henthorn v. Fraser (1892):
Held that revocation must reach the offeree before acceptance is communicated for it to be effective.
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