Which term refers to unlawful influence exerted upon a person to compel action against his will through tactics such as physical force, property damage, or confinement?

• A. Duress
• B. Menace
• C. Termination of contract
• D. Accord & Satisfaction

Answer: (A)

Duress is the unlawful pressure used to force someone to act against their will. When threats of physical force, property damage, or confinement are used to compel a person to do something, the person’s consent isn’t genuine. In contract law, voluntary agreement is essential for validity, so a contract entered into under duress is voidable—the coerced party can choose to resist or rescind. The other terms don’t fit because they describe threats in general (menace), ending a contract (termination), or settling a claim by accepting something different (accord and satisfaction), none of which capture the specific coercive influence that ruins true consent.