- Force Majeure - meaning.
The term 'force majeure' translates literally from French as superior force. It is also generally defined in the Merriam Webster dictionary as 'an event or effect that cannot be reasonably anticipated or controlled'. The reference to "force majeure" is meant to describe events beyond the reasonable control of contracting parties and could include uncontrollable events (such as war, labour stoppages, or extreme weather) that are not the fault of any party and that make it difficult or impossible to carry out normal business.
A provision of force majeure in a contract is intended to absolve a party or waive its obligations absolutely or suspend it temporarily for reasons which cannot be construed to be a breach of contract by the defaulting party.
- Section 56 and 32.
In
Under the aforesaid provisions, contracting parties can plead impossibility of performance and consequently frustration of a contract on account of a particular event, unforeseen previously and beyond the control of the parties.
- Contract.
Commercial contracts almost always include a force majeure clause. The circumstances in which the provision may be invoked are generally limited to common events which may be construed to be 'Acts of God' and are usually not negotiated vigorously, except for specific situations such as 'strikes, lock outs, shortage of material, etc', which are the parties anticipate are likely to occur and have a direct bearing on the performance of the contract.
In certain instances, the provision may be triggered by an 'Act of God' and may not specifically enumerate the specific situations, such as the current pandemic. Most commercial contracts nevertheless include certain catch-all provisions having language such as - 'any other cause whatsoever beyond the control of the respective party'.
- Section 56 of the Contract Act.
Doctrine of frustration - Impossibility
Prior to the Common Law decision in Taylor vs. Caldwell, (1861-73) All ER Rep 24, the law in
The law on the 'doctrine of frustration' has been laid down in
In
Similarly, in
It has also been held that applying the doctrine of frustration must always be within narrow limits. In an instructive English judgment namely,
Non application if contract provides for force majeure which applies
As has been held in particular, in the Satyabrata Ghose case, when a contract contains a force majeure clause which on construction by the court is held attracted to the facts of the case, Section 56 of the Contract Act can have no application.
The
- Covid - 19 - Force Majeure event.
Contract -application.
Force majeure clauses in commercial contracts generally set forth limited circumstances under which a party may terminate or be excused of performance without liability due to the occurrence of an unforeseen event.
If the definition of force majeure specifically includes an 'epidemic', 'pandemic', 'disease outbreak', or even 'public health crisis', the current situation relating to COVID-19 may fit within that clause. The provision may also still include a reference to government action as a force majeure event, including 'acts, orders, regulations, or laws of any government', or 'government order or regulation'.
Where such clauses are present, regulations and executive orders regulating, among other things, the size of gatherings or mandating the closure of certain establishments issued by the local government or the authorities, may qualify as force majeure events.
If the contract does not have specific language detailing the specific force majeure scenarios mentioned above, but has general catch all language referring to events outside the control of the performing party, the courts generally interpret force majeure clauses narrowly and typically do not interpret a general catch-all provision to cover specific circumstances, which upon analysis may be construed to be beyond the agreed scope of the contract agreed between the parties. In such an event, if litigated, a party may have to prove that the clause, when drafted, was intended to cover a similar situation (a public health crisis as opposed to a natural disaster).
If the force majeure clause covers only 'Acts of God', the current pandemic may be outside its scope, as apart from triggering the applicability of Section 56 of the Contract Act and consequently impossibility of performance as above, the party claiming waiver of obligations under the provision will need to substantiate the intent of the parties to assume inclusion of the pandemic as an 'Act of God'. It is however important to note that assessing applicability and enforceability of such clauses by the relevant court will be dependent on a highly fact-specific analysis.
Finance and renewal energy ministry orders on force majeure.
Pursuant to the aforesaid memorandum, the
In case of a litigation, where the contractual provisions are not specific or have general language, such as 'events beyond the control of the performing party', the above mentioned Government memorandums may help in supporting the interpretation that the situation amounts to a force majeure event. Further, it could be covered under 'natural calamity' (as stated in OM) if the clause does not use the words 'epidemic' or 'pandemic'.
- Standard of performance.
Contract - termination, suspension of obligations
The consequence of a force majeure event under a contract may vary. Certain commercial contracts may require an 'impossible' standard for termination of the contract where a party may be allowed to terminate the contract only if the obligations are impossible to be performed. In certain other cases, the provisions may allow for the parties to suspend certain obligations during the pendency of the situation or allow for suspension in case of situations where although the performance may be possible, it may nevertheless be impractical or commercially non feasible.
- Government orders.
Where the contracting party seeks to rely on orders of a regulatory authority or legislations issued in order to regulate the movement of persons or conduct of business on account of the pandemic, it will be necessary for the contracting party to review the restrictions carefully to confirm that the same tantamount to the standards of performance as set out in the contract or under law (as applicable). For eg., where the relevant order provides for a prohibition of all commercial activities, but allows for certain business to procure passes for its employees to travel to their work places, it may be argued that the contract is not frustrated on account of the allowance; or that the non performing party is not restrained from fulfilling its obligations on account of events beyond its control.
Although the specific language in the contract may not set out an 'impossible' standard for invocation, the courts nevertheless are known to read into the said Government orders and restraints relied upon by the party take a narrow view of such circumstances to determine the parties claim for waiver of obligations under the contract.
- Notice.
In addition to the rights accruing to the non performing party under the contract, specific attention will also need to be paid to the timing and manner in which the notice will need to be issued under the contract.
Most commercial contracts allow for issuance of a written notice by registered post, courier and/or email. In the event the parties have not agreed to multiple modes for issuance of the notice and the prevailing circumstance make it almost impossible for the notice to be issued by modes agreed to in the contract (such as post or by courier), the non performing party will need to consider a mode, whereupon, a notice issued and receipt thereof may be legally and validly substantiated in case of enforcement.
The non performing party will also need to consider the timing for the issuance of the notice in line with the requirements of the contract. Most commercial contracts provide for the period of suspension or right to terminate to be triggered upon issuance/receipt of the notice. Even where the contract does not specifically provide for such a trigger, it is advisable for the party seeking waiver or suspension of obligations to issue the notice at the earliest upon becoming aware of the event or upon realization of its inability to perform its obligation under the contract.
Conclusion -
The concept of 'one size fits all' would be anathema in the invocation of the force majeure provision under Indian law or under the relevant contract. The local practices, usage, orders by the statutory bodies, the specific language of the contract, facts in relation to the pandemic affecting the parties, etc have a bearing on the analysis of applicability and enforceability of the provisions of the contract.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
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