Glossary
Force majeure
civil-lawcommon-law
A contractual or statutory excuse for non-performance caused by an unforeseeable external event.
In more detail
In civil-law systems force majeure is often a statutory concept, while common-law contracts must define it expressly because the general doctrine of frustration is narrow. Whether a pandemic or sanctions regime qualifies usually turns on the precise drafting rather than general principle.
Related terms
- hardship
- frustration
See how this applies to you
Definitions are general. How a term operates depends on the jurisdiction you are in.