French v. Hay was a United States Supreme Court case that dealt with the issue of whether a contract between two parties was valid. The case involved a contract between the plaintiff, French, and the defendant, Hay, in which Hay agreed to pay French a certain amount of money for the use of a certain piece of land. The contract was signed by both parties, but Hay failed to pay the money as agreed. French then sued Hay for breach of contract. The Supreme Court held that the contract was valid and enforceable. The Court noted that the contract was signed by both parties and that there was no evidence that either party had acted fraudulently or in bad faith. The Court also noted that the contract was not against public policy and that it was not unconscionable. The Court concluded that the contract was valid and enforceable and that Hay was liable for breach of contract.

In French v. Hay, the Supreme Court was tasked with determining whether a contract between two parties could be enforced despite one of the parties having died before it was fully executed. The majority opinion held that since there had been no consideration given by either party and that the executor of the deceased's estate did not agree to fulfill his part in executing the contract, it could not be enforced. Justice Field dissented from this ruling on grounds that he believed an agreement made between two persons should still remain valid even if one of them dies before its execution is complete as long as their intentions were clear and they had both agreed to enter into such an arrangement prior to death. He argued that allowing contracts like these would encourage people to make arrangements for their estates while alive which would ultimately benefit society at large by providing more security for those who are owed money or property after someone passes away.