What is a "unilateral" obligation?

A unilateral obligation is defined as an obligation created without the need for mutual consent from another party. This means that one party can commit to certain actions or responsibilities without needing the agreement or approval of the other party involved. This type of obligation is often observed in instances such as unilateral contracts, where one party makes a promise to perform without requiring a reciprocal promise from the other.

In contrast, mutual agreement from both parties defines a bilateral obligation, where both sides enter into an agreement that binds them to perform specific duties. Fully funded obligations pertain strictly to the fiscal aspects and appropriations, which do not define the nature of the obligation itself regarding mutual agreement. Additionally, obligations that involve multiple government agencies describe a collaborative context but do not pertain to the unilateral nature of the obligation. Understanding these distinctions clarify why the definition of a unilateral obligation aligns with the idea of one party solely creating the obligation without needing agreement from another.