What type of contract is characterized by one party's ability to enforce promises without obligations on the other party?

A unilateral contract is defined by its nature of having only one party making a promise that the other party can accept through their actions, typically by performing a specific task. This contract allows for enforcement of the promise made by one party while placing no obligations on the other party.

For instance, if someone offers a reward for finding a lost pet, the offeror (the one promising the reward) is bound by their promise to pay once the pet is returned. However, the person who finds the pet does not have any obligations and can choose whether to accept the offer by returning the pet or not. This one-sided promise is what fundamentally distinguishes unilateral contracts from other types of contracts, where both parties generally have mutual obligations.

Recognizing this characteristic helps clarify how unilateral contracts function within the broader context of contract law, particularly in scenarios involving offers and acceptance driven by performance rather than reciprocal obligations.