Meeting of the minds (also known as mutual agreement, mutual assent, or mutuality) is a principle of contract law that requires the parties to mutually agree to the terms to form an enforceable contract.

Although a meeting of the minds was traditionally required under the subjective theory of assent to contract terms, today’s courts generally only require an objective manifestation of assent—meaning that if the written words of the contract have a clear, unambiguous meaning they will be enforced as written, even if one of the parties claims to have understood them differently.

In Minnesota, the concept of 'meeting of the minds' is essential for the formation of a legally binding contract. This principle, also known as mutual agreement or mutual assent, requires that all parties involved in the contract have a common understanding and agreement on the terms and conditions of the contract. While historically, the subjective intentions of the parties were considered, modern contract law in Minnesota emphasizes an objective standard. This means that the courts will enforce the terms of a contract based on the clear and unambiguous language contained within the contract itself, rather than the subjective understanding of any party. If the language of the contract is clear and the parties' outward expressions of agreement align with this language, the contract is typically considered to have a valid 'meeting of the minds' and is enforceable, even if a party later claims a different personal understanding of the terms.