“Statute of
Frauds” Definition: The common designation of a
very celebrated English Statute, passed in 1676 and which has been adopted,
in the more or less modified form, in nearly all the United States. Its
chief characteristic is the provision that the suit or action shall be
maintained on certain classes of contracts or engagements unless there is a
note or memorandum thereof in writing signed by the party to be charged or
by his authorized agent. Its object was to close the door to the numerous
frauds which were believe to be committed when such obligations could be
enforced upon to the other evidence than the mere recollection of witnesses.
