(a) That's wrong. A's promise is in writing, but that in itself is not quite enough. To be a contract the written document must satisfy the requirements of a deed (see below). If an agreement is recorded in the form of a deed, the courts will enforce it because a promise contained in a deed is considered to be legally binding.

These days, a document is a 'deed' if it is signed and said to be sealed by its maker. It must also be witnessed by someone who is not a party to the agreement. A wax seal does not have to be actually affixed: it is enough that the document says: 'signed and sealed...' The maker of the deed must intend to deliver the deed to the other party and to be bound by it.

The facts do not suggest that A has recorded his promise in a deed. This means that the agreement is informal. The circumstances in which an informal agreement becomes legally enforceable are explained in the following screens.