Which elements establish promissory estoppel?

• A. Promise, reliance, interest of justice, actual reliance
• B. Consideration, capacity, legality
• C. Written contract, signature, and delivery
• D. Public policy and free speech

Answer: (A)

Promissory estoppel centers on enforcing a promise when someone relies on it to their detriment and, without that enforcement, a fair outcome would be unjust. The best answer captures the essential pieces: a definite promise; actual reliance on that promise (showing the promisee took action or refrained from acting because of the promise); and the idea that enforcing the promise is necessary to prevent an injustice. The inclusion of “actual reliance” emphasizes the real, concrete reliance rather than a mere hopeful expectation, and “interest of justice” signals that the remedy is used to avoid an unfair result.

The other ideas describe elements of contract formation (such as consideration, capacity, legality; or a written contract with a signature) or unrelated notions like public policy and free speech, which do not fit the reliance-based equitable remedy at issue.