Legal Definitions - independent promise

Definition: An independent promise is a type of promise that is unconditional and not dependent on any other obligation or condition. It is a binding promise that the law will enforce.

Example: A company promises to pay its employee a bonus of $5,000 at the end of the year if the employee meets certain performance targets. This is not an independent promise because it is dependent on the employee meeting the performance targets. However, if the company promises to pay the employee a bonus of $5,000 at the end of the year regardless of their performance, this is an independent promise because it is not dependent on any other obligation or condition.

Explanation: An independent promise is a promise that stands on its own and is not contingent on any other obligation or condition. It is a binding promise that the law will enforce. In the example given, the first promise is not an independent promise because it is dependent on the employee meeting certain performance targets. The second promise, however, is an independent promise because it is not dependent on any other obligation or condition.