Can I challenge a contract if I was put under pressure?
June 6, 2022 | 40,00 EUR | answered by Konrad Höfer
Dear Contract Law Lawyer,
My name is Björn Nitsche and I am reaching out to you with a question regarding a contract that I recently had to sign. The situation is as follows: My employer presented me with a new employment contract which contains a significant deterioration of my working conditions. However, as I rely on my job and was afraid of losing my job, I signed the contract under pressure.
Now I regret this decision and wonder if it is possible to challenge the contract, as I was under duress. I am worried about my professional future and wonder if there are legal options to get out of this unwanted situation.
Can you please explain to me if it is legally possible to challenge a contract if one was under pressure? Are there specific criteria that need to be met for a successful challenge of the contract? How should I proceed in this situation and what steps can I take to protect my rights?
I thank you in advance for your help and advice.
Sincerely,
Björn Nitsche
Dear Mr. Nitsche,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding the employment contract that you recently had to sign. I am sorry to hear that you felt pressured and now have concerns about your professional future. It is important that you know your rights and understand the legal options available to you.
In general, it is possible to challenge a contract if you were under pressure. In your case, one could argue that the employment contract was not entered into voluntarily due to the pressure you felt from the looming job insecurity. This could be a ground for challenging the contract.
To successfully challenge the contract, certain criteria must be met. Firstly, the pressure you were under must have been so strong that it affected your freedom of will. Secondly, you must make the challenge within a certain timeframe, usually three years. It is important that you seek legal advice to ensure that your challenge is legally sound.
In this situation, I recommend that you first contact your employer and initiate a conversation. Explain your concerns and try to find a mutually acceptable solution. If this is not possible, you should seek advice from an employment lawyer who can inform you about your legal options and assist you in challenging the contract.
It is important that you uphold your rights and do not hesitate to take legal action if you feel unfairly treated. I am available to support you in this matter and explain further legal steps to you.
Sincerely,
Konrad Höfer
Contract Law Attorney
