The statute of frauds is a legal doctrine requiring that certain types of contracts be in written form. The most common contracts covered by the statute of frauds include the sale of land, agreements involving goods worth $500 or more, and contracts lasting one year or more.

The purpose of the statute of frauds is to prevent fraud or other injury. These purposes are often described as being evidentiary and cautionary. The evidentiary function of the statute of frauds is to provide documentation that a legal, binding agreement exists. The cautionary function of the statute of frauds is meant to make each party more intent, serious, and deliberate in their transacting.