Final answer:
The court ruled in favor of Lucy in the case Lucy v Zehmer because the evidence showed a valid and enforceable contract. The defendant's actions and statements led the plaintiff to reasonably believe the contract was genuine.
Step-by-step explanation:
The court ruled in favor of Lucy in the case Lucy v Zehmer because the evidence presented showed that the contract between Lucy and Zehmer to sell a farm was valid and enforceable. The court determined that both parties had a meeting of the minds and intended to enter into a binding agreement, despite claims from the defendant that it was just a joke. The court found that the defendant's actions and statements led the plaintiff to reasonably believe the contract was genuine, and therefore ruled in favor of Lucy.