Smart Contracts & Contract Law
Explore the intersection of self-executing code and traditional contract law principles under Indian jurisprudence
Learning Objectives
Module Parts
Part 1: Legal Nature of Smart Contracts
Examine the "Code as Law vs Law as Code" debate, understanding how self-executing contracts relate to traditional legal frameworks and the philosophical underpinnings of algorithmic enforcement.
Begin Part 1 →Part 2: Indian Contract Act 1872 Application
Deep dive into Sections 2, 10, 11, 13, 14, 23, 73, and 74 of the Indian Contract Act and their application to smart contracts, including IT Act Section 10A.
Begin Part 2 →Part 3: Enforceability Challenges
Analyze critical challenges including code immutability, oracle dependency problems, upgrade mechanisms, and the gap between code execution and legal intent.
Begin Part 3 →Part 4: DAO Legal Issues
Study Decentralized Autonomous Organizations, The DAO hack case study (2016), legal personality questions, liability distribution, and governance frameworks.
Begin Part 4 →Part 5: Dispute Resolution
Explore decentralized dispute resolution through Kleros and Aragon Court, hybrid arbitration models, and integration with traditional legal systems.
Begin Part 5 →Part 6: Drafting Blockchain Agreements
Master practical drafting of SAFT agreements, Token Purchase Agreements, smart contract addendums, and legal wrapper frameworks for blockchain transactions.
Begin Part 6 →Key Legal Framework
Indian Contract Act, 1872
Sections 2, 10, 11, 13, 14, 23, 73, 74 - Core contract formation and validity provisions
Information Technology Act, 2000
Section 10A - Validity of contracts formed through electronic means
Specific Relief Act, 1963
Section 14 - Contracts not specifically enforceable
Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996
Framework for decentralized arbitration recognition
Ready to Begin?
Start with Part 1 to understand the legal nature of smart contracts and their relationship with traditional contract law.
Start Learning