For a contract to be valid, what is one of the four required elements it must include?

A valid contract must have a legal purpose, meaning that the agreement must be for a lawful objective that does not violate any laws or public policy. This is a fundamental requirement, as contracts involving illegal activities or purposes are unenforceable in a court of law. For instance, if a contract is created to engage in illegal drug trafficking, it lacks legal purpose and, therefore, cannot be upheld.

In some cases, other elements may also be significant in forming a valid contract, such as consideration, mutual consent, or capacity to contract. However, the legal purpose is paramount, as it directly affects the validity and enforceability of the agreement itself.

The other options may contribute to the overall process of contract formation but do not represent essential elements for a valid contract on their own. Negotiation is part of the process of reaching an agreement, while a written agreement, although often preferred for clarity and proof, is not always required for a contract to be valid—many contracts can be verbally binding. Similarly, witness signatures can enhance the credibility of a contract but are not a universal requirement for validity.