Mailbox rule assumption of receipt

The "mailbox rule" is a legal principle that assumes that a letter or document is received by the addressee on the date it is deposited in the mail, rather than the date it is actually received. This rule is often used in contract law and other areas of law where the timing of receipt is important.

The mailbox rule is based on the idea that the addressee has constructive notice of the document's contents as soon as it is deposited in the mail. This means that the addressee is presumed to have received the document and is bound by its terms, even if it is not actually received until later.

The mailbox rule is often used to determine the effective date of a contract or other agreement. For example, if a contract is sent by mail and the addressee receives it three days later, the mailbox rule would assume that the contract was received on the date it was deposited in the mail, rather than the date it was actually received.

The mailbox rule is not without its limitations, however. For example, if the addressee can show that they did not receive the document until later, the mailbox rule may not apply. Additionally, the mailbox rule may not be applicable in situations where the document is sent by other means, such as email or fax.

Some examples of the mailbox rule in action include:

• A company sends a notice of termination to an employee by certified mail. The employee receives the notice three days later, but the company assumes that the employee received it on the date it was deposited in the mail.
• A buyer sends a letter to a seller accepting an offer to purchase a property. The seller receives the letter five days later, but the buyer assumes that the seller received it on the date it was deposited in the mail.

Overall, the mailbox rule is an important principle in contract law and other areas of law, as it helps to establish the timing of receipt and the effective date of agreements.