A secondary letter is often used to clarify some of the terms of the main contract, and is normally used when certain details remain unknown at the time the contract is concluded. Secondly, in most European countries, ancillary letters do not affect the rights of third parties who can nevertheless enforce a subsidiary letter they have known if it benefits from it. An example of this rule is found in a case where the French Supreme Court ruled that legitimate heirs could require the reduction of a hidden gift contained in a subsidiary letter signed by their author. Finally, it should be noted that an ancillary letter is not applicable until all the conditions have been negotiated. The last and probably the most important criterion is the consideration (a form of payment). The counterparty does not need to take a monetary form and may simply be a mutual advantage (or disadvantage). As a rule, an accessory letter is used to clarify the details of the contract and, therefore, the need for consideration is satisfied, since there is an advantage for both parties. In the absence of performance or payment, a subsidiary letter can only become legally binding if it is executed as an instrument, which implies, inter alia, that it must indicate that the subsidiary letter is an act and that the signatures of the parties must be signed. A subsidiary letter should create legally enforceable rights and obligations; But in some circumstances, it can simply have a moral effect. Like any contract on the merits, a subsidiary letter presupposes in particular a legitimate object and a non-fraudulent intention of the parties.

Therefore, a side letter should not intend to deceive third parties or circumvent binding legal provisions. Fraudulent accessory letters can lead tax authorities to convict companies. In 2003, the Dutch authorities conducted an investigation of Ahold, including examining some of its secondary letters allowing joint ventures to be illegally consolidated in order to improve their accounts. Initially, a settlement was concluded with the Dutch authorities and the company was fined €8 million. Ahold was later convicted of fraud by the SEC. When it comes to form, a page letter is based on consensus in most situations. Although, in principle, ancillary letters can be concluded orally, the parties may wish to ensure sound evidence. Some transactions will even require legal formalism. of a private enterprise under the law of British Columbia („Soluna”), at the same time as the conclusion of this Agreement. . . .