The Sanctity of Contracts in English Law - College of Social ...

Infants' Contracts 29which were necessaries or those for the infant's benefitwere voidable at the infant's option. He couldexercise his option to avoid them either beforeattaining his majority or within a reasonable timeafterwards. He could, however, himself enforce them.The Infants Relief Act, 1874, declared three classesof contracts entered into by an infant " absolutelyvoid." These were contracts to repay money loans,contracts for goods supplied or to be supplied (otherthan necessaries) and all accounts stated. Moreover,the same Act forbade an action being brought on anypromise or ratification of a contract made duringinfancy. In the words of Anson's Law of Contract 19 :" The Infants Relief Act of 1874 appears to havebeen designed to guard not merely against the resultsof youthful inexperience, but against the consequencesof honourable scruples as to the disclaimer of contractsupon the attainment of majority."TRUCK ACTSAt one time no doubt a master paid his servant'swages in kind; but the trend away from the trucksystem in the direction of a free money economyand the payment of wages in money became general.Even in the early nineteenth century, payment forservices continued in many instances to be madepartly by money and partly by the supply of goodsand services. Such a system of payment was liableto abuse; and in fact was not infrequently, directlyor indirectly, abused by the employer. Thus wages18 19th ed. at p. 126.