S.D. Codified Laws § 53-1-2 : — CONTRACTSDEFINITIONS AND GENERAL PROVISIONS —1-2 - Essential elements of contract TEXT PDF Elements essential to existence of a contract are: (1) Parties capable of contracting; (2) Their consent; (3) A lawful object; and (4) Sufficient cause or consideration. SDCL 53-1-2 CivC 1877, § 871; CL 1887, § 3495; RCivC 1903, § 1189; RC 1919, § 804; SDC 1939, § 10.0102.