... whether or not there existed a binding contract. The posting of advertising leaflets through people's doors (which is what Lucia did) is only considered an invitation to treat. With an invitation to treat, the offeror is at liberty to decide who to contract with and who not to contract with. In the case of Partridge v Crittenden 1 the courts established that invitations (to the public) to treat did not count as an offer as they are merely advertisements and that to create legal relations, more matters needed to be discussed and resolved and that a firm offer and acceptance had to be established. "In a unilateral contract the offeror promises payment or reward in exchange for the offeree performing a particular act or acts"2. The above rule regarding invitations to treat does not apply to unilateral contracts. Captain Puffin makes the first offer in the form of his posted letter to Lucia. ...

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