Contracts that are under seal are called “sealed contracts” or “contracts executed under seal.”
A sealed contract is a written agreement that is signed and sealed by at least one party, typically executed in the presence of a witness and stamped with a seal. The use of a seal on the document represents the intention of the parties to be bound by the agreement, and it provides the document with additional legal weight.
Historically, the use of a seal indicated that the document had been carefully reviewed, and that the parties intended to be bound by the terms of the contract. Sealing a document was also seen as a way to make it more difficult to alter or forge, as the seal was often embossed or stamped in wax.
While the use of seals is no longer as common as it once was, sealed contracts are still used today in some circumstances, particularly in real estate transactions. In some jurisdictions, a sealed contract may be given more weight in court, and may be subject to different rules of enforceability than a non-sealed contract.
It is important to note that not all contracts need to be sealed in order to be enforceable. In fact, most contracts today are not sealed. However, in some cases, sealing a contract may be advisable, particularly if the parties want to give the agreement additional legal weight or if they want to ensure that it is not easily altered later on.
In conclusion, contracts that are under seal are called sealed contracts or contracts executed under seal. While the use of seals is no longer as common as it once was, sealed contracts can still be useful in certain situations and may provide the document with additional legal weight.