Can emails be legally binding for contract work?

Question

Bottom line:
I was hired by a woman to design a catalog. I have an ENTIRE email trail saying all from that she is going to pay me half up front, half at the end to that she has managed me wrong, apologized for being a "b---h", etc.
I have been strung along since April, since this project was supposed to be done in March. She finally said I would be paid in July. I have since received an email saying that she "respectfully concluded" that she will not pay me the rest since she doesn't think I did my job.
However, I have emails supporting that she has said the opposite.
My problem is that she said she would write up a contract in the beginning and never did. I do have many many emails that clearly say from her that I will be paid. Does this stand up in court?
Also, can I sue her for court costs and missed time at work and/or the stress and financial burden this has put on me waiting out her payment that was to be paid in April?
I completed ALL THE WORK I was supposed to.

Answer 1

The People's Court takes emails as binding.. I was surprised to see that.. but I'm not sure.

Answer 2

confident, *till* it particularly is for some form of (very uncommon) specific contract that demands an unique checklist, no longer a replica. the only problem could be if the different guy or woman have been to declare once you attempt to implement the contract "I in no way observed that, somebody else positioned my signature on it." it particularly is, although, no diverse, legally, from somebody making a similar declare approximately their signature on an unique paper. Your question isn't "particularly" approximately an emailed contract, because of the fact a scanned signed paper sent as an attachment to an digital mail remains a replica of an unique signed contract - basically like a fax. the only legal subject approximately emailed contracts is that if the grant and recognition are actual typed out in the digital mail itself, and there is not any handwritten signature. Richard

Answer 3

Hello there. It is most likely that your emails will hold up in court although there is a very small chance that having no contract will slow the process. Emails are similar to the time stamping on postage, there is no way for the general public to alter dates and thus can be used as proof.

I work for a newspaper and we rely on emails as proof of advertising being approved by our clients. If I don't have a signature directly from a client, they are required to email me approval before anything goes to press. I would take her to court if I was you. Good luck.

Sarah

Answer 4

In California, an employer once promised me a certain pay and shook my hand on it, no witnesses. When he paid me at a lower rate, the handshake was enough to use as evidence to receive the proper pay. I would think that e-mails would even be better than a handshake.

Answer 5

You may be able to build a trail that shows your side is more likely than not. E-mail is often admitted in court. Weather it is binding will depend on what was said.