linguistic:paraphrasing
Canada

The Statute of Frauds recites that it was enacted for the "... prevention of many fraudulent practices which are commonly endeavored to be upheld by perjury...". The mischief arising from claimants asserting oral agreements was to be avoided by requiring that certain contracts be evidenced by "some memorandum or note thereof... in writing and signed by the party to be charged therewith...". Contracts respecting land "created by livery and seisen only or by parole" would not be enforced absent such a writing.