When two parties engage in quid pro quo, they essentially trade. Often, the parties exchange a favor for something of financial value. A person agrees to give something valuable as long as they receive something they appreciate in return. Quid pro quo could be used in economics or politics. In some cases, a quid-pro-quo agreement may be non-extended if a court finds the agreement as one-sided or the result of coercion. This term dates back centuries, but it is a term that is still used today. In commercial and legal contexts, quid pro quo indicates that a good or service has been exchanged for something equivalent. It has been used in politics to describe an unethical practice: “I will do something for you if you do something for me,” but are allowed if corruption or fault does not occur. The most well-known case of Quid pro quo today is the impeachment of President Donald Trump, where the president was accused of trying to get involved with Ukraine`s president quid pro quo. Specifically, the president was accused of threatening to get foreign aid from Ukraine if the government did not agree to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden. Supporters of impeachment proceedings and convictions argued that the exchanges were unethical. Opponents argued that such counterparties were widespread in politics and that the president had done nothing illegal. The case led to the impeachment and final acquittal of the president.

In the United Kingdom, the unilateral nature of a contract is covered by the Terms of Contract Act 1977 and various revisions and amendments; a clause may be cancelled or the entire contract may be cancelled if it is considered abusive (i.e. unilateral and not as a custom to the contrary); However, this is a matter of civil law and not a matter of common law. Quid pro quo means “something given or received for something else.” It is not illegal by nature to give or obtain something in exchange for something else, but in legal contexts, quid pro quo often refers to something that is in fact illegal, such as when a company gives official money to a government official in exchange for a mission that should rightly be given to any company best placed , to meet the requirements of the contract. And while a quid pro quo is generally not illegal per se, the type of exchange (is it questionable or not?) and its legality depends heavily on the context and circumstances. The origin of quid pro quo dates back to the sixteenth century, when it was used in the context of medicine — when one drug was replaced by another (“something for something”), lawfully or by fraud. Its use at that time was very different from what it is today. The legal definition of quid pro quo has above all the same meaning as the Latin origins. The Law Dictionary defines quid pro quo as a reference to the exchange of one value thing against another. He says quid pro quo: “It is nothing but mutual consideration that goes between the contracting parties and makes them valid and binding.” However, such a quid pro quo does not always involve bribery, but simply the understanding that the politician will take into account the wishes of the donor when creating policies or voting on legislation.