Final answer:
The statute of frauds prevents a court from hearing evidence in a lawsuit concerning an oral real estate purchase contract. Therefore correct answer is Option 2.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statute of frauds serves as a legal safeguard requiring certain contracts, including real estate transactions, to be in writing to be enforceable. In this context, the statute prevents a court from hearing evidence in a lawsuit concerning an oral real estate purchase contract.
While written real estate purchase contracts are specifically covered, oral agreements lack the required written documentation, rendering them unenforceable in many jurisdictions. This provision promotes clarity, mitigates the risk of fraudulent claims, and ensures that substantial agreements, especially those involving valuable assets like real estate, are documented to protect the interests of all parties involved. Consequently, the statute of frauds maintains the integrity of contractual agreements by setting a standard for enforceability, emphasizing the importance of written evidence in legal proceedings related to real estate transactions.