A memorandum of understanding, also known as MoU, is a kind of agreement between two or more parties. It is an agreement that expresses the common intentions of the parties. It is usually used either in cases where parties do not want a legal commitment or in a condition where the parties cannot create a legally binding agreement. It is a more formal alternative to a regular agreement.
Memorandum can have a legally binding effect or non-binding effect depending upon case to case. In the first case, the Memorandum acts as a regular agreement between the Parties which covers the broad description or understanding of the Parties. Often, Parties enter into a Memorandum of Understanding to create some foundation of main agreement then after proper investigation into the subject matter, the main agreement is executed. If it is non-binding, the Parties may not be legally liable to comply with it.
Irrespective of the legally binding nature of Memorandum of Understanding, it should conform to all the provisions of the Indian Contract Act, 1872.