What does the main purpose exception eliminate in contract law?

The main purpose exception in contract law serves to eliminate the requirement of writing for certain contracts that typically fall under the Statute of Frauds. The Statute of Frauds requires specific types of contracts, such as those involving the sale of goods over a certain value or contracts that cannot be performed within one year, to be in writing to be enforceable.

However, the main purpose exception allows for an oral contract to be enforceable when the main purpose of the promise is to benefit the promisor. This means that if a party makes a promise primarily for their own interest, that promise may not require written documentation to be binding. Thus, this exception provides flexibility in the enforcement of agreements that otherwise might be invalidated due to lack of writing, particularly when the purpose and reliance of parties can be established.

The other options involve different aspects of contract law that are not directly impacted by the main purpose exception. For instance, enforcement of the contract in court pertains to the broader concept of contract enforceability, not solely dependent on the writing requirement. The need for third-party involvement and options for parties to back out of a promise also reference general principles of contracts but do not specifically relate to the main purpose exception's role in waiving the writing requirement for certain