Which type of contract must be in special form or produced in a certain way?

A formal contract is defined by specific legal requirements that necessitate it to be in a particular format or contain certain elements to be enforceable. Examples of situations that typically require formal contracts include real estate transactions, certain types of financial agreements, and contracts that cannot be completed within one year. These contracts are often required to be in writing and may need to be signed by all parties involved or even notarized, ensuring that there is a clear record of the agreement that upholds legal standards.

In contrast, informal agreements or verbal contracts do not have such strict requirements and can be established through spoken communication, often lacking the formalities that provide proof and clarity in formal contracts. Standard agreements are typically pre-drafted documents that may not necessarily require any specific formalities, as they serve general purposes and are commonly used across similar situations but are not mandated to adhere to a special form.