To enforce an accord and satisfaction, there must be a genuine dispute over the amount. Which option reflects this requirement?

• A. There must be a genuine dispute over the amount.
• B. There must be new consideration.
• C. Any payment can satisfy a debt regardless of dispute.
• D. A written release is required.

Answer: (A)

In accord and satisfaction, a settlement of a debt is effective only when there is a bona fide dispute about the amount owed. That genuine disagreement provides the basis for substituting the original obligation with a different performance (often a lesser payment) and for the creditor’s acceptance of that offer to discharge the entire claim. If there’s no real dispute, accepting a lesser amount is just a simple compromise, not an enforceable accord and satisfaction that ends the original debt. The other options don’t match the rule: requiring new consideration isn’t necessary when there’s a genuine dispute, a payment isn’t automatically a full satisfaction if there’s no dispute, and a separate written release isn’t invariably required for the accord and satisfaction to take effect.