What is required to void a contract based on duress?

To void a contract based on duress, evidence of coercion or threats is essential. Duress occurs when one party enters into a contract due to unlawful pressure exerted by another party, which significantly influences their decision-making. This pressure can take the form of physical threats, economic pressure, or other forms of intimidation that leave the victim with no reasonable alternative but to agree to the contract.

It is important to demonstrate that the agreement was not truly voluntary, highlighting the presence of undue influence or threats that compromised the signing party's free will. Proof of mutual agreement alone does not address the conditions under which the agreement was made, nor does it account for the impact of coercion on the consenting party's ability to make decisions without fear or pressures.

While documentation of verbal commitments and the necessity of filing a lawsuit may play roles in related legal discussions, they do not directly pertain to the fundamental requirement of establishing duress as a basis for voiding a contract. Therefore, it is the evidence of coercion or threats that is pivotal to successfully asserting a claim of duress in contract law.