Contracts/Impossibility: Difference between revisions
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However, the parties to a contract may choose to ignore impossibility by inserting a [[hell or high water clause]], which mandates that payments continue even if completion of the contract becomes physically impossible. | However, the parties to a contract may choose to ignore impossibility by inserting a [[hell or high water clause]], which mandates that payments continue even if completion of the contract becomes physically impossible. | ||
In common law, for the defense of "impossibility" to be raised performance must not merely be difficult or unexpectedly costly for one party, there must be no way for it to actually be accomplished; however, it is beginning to be recognized that "impossibility" under this doctrine can also exist when the contemplated performance can be done but only at an excessive and unreasonable cost, i.e., commercial impracticability<ref>See e.g. ''Transatlantic Financing Corp. v. United States'', [[Case citation|363 F.2d 312]] ([[United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit|D.C. Cir.]], 1966)</ref> | In common law, for the defense of "impossibility" to be raised performance must not merely be difficult or unexpectedly costly for one party, there must be no way for it to actually be accomplished; however, it is beginning to be recognized that "impossibility" under this doctrine can also exist when the contemplated performance can be done but only at an excessive and unreasonable cost, i.e., commercial impracticability.<ref>See e.g. ''Transatlantic Financing Corp. v. United States'', [[Case citation|363 F.2d 312]] ([[United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit|D.C. Cir.]], 1966)</ref> On the other hand, some sources see "impossibility" and [[impracticability]] as being related but separate defenses. | ||
The [[English law|English]] case that established the doctrine of impossibility at [[common law]] is ''[[Taylor v. Caldwell]].''<ref>3 B.&S. 826, 122 Eng.Rep. 309 (K.B. 1863)</ref> | The [[English law|English]] case that established the doctrine of impossibility at [[common law]] is ''[[Taylor v. Caldwell]].''<ref>3 B.&S. 826, 122 Eng.Rep. 309 (K.B. 1863)</ref> | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
Revision as of 18:27, March 9, 2014
In contract law, impossibility is an excuse for the nonperformance of duties under a contract, based on a change in circumstances (or the discovery of preexisting circumstances), the nonoccurrence of which was an underlying assumption of the contract, that makes performance of the contract literally impossible.
For example, if Rachel contracts to pay Joey $1000 to paint her house on October 1, but the house burns to the ground before the end of September, Rachel is excused from her duty to pay Joey the $1000, and he is excused from his duty to paint her house; however, Joey may still be able to sue for the unjust enrichment of any benefit conferred on Rachel before her house burned down (e.g. if Rachel paid Joey in advance, then the amount of payment might be a compensatory injury).
However, the parties to a contract may choose to ignore impossibility by inserting a hell or high water clause, which mandates that payments continue even if completion of the contract becomes physically impossible.
In common law, for the defense of "impossibility" to be raised performance must not merely be difficult or unexpectedly costly for one party, there must be no way for it to actually be accomplished; however, it is beginning to be recognized that "impossibility" under this doctrine can also exist when the contemplated performance can be done but only at an excessive and unreasonable cost, i.e., commercial impracticability.[1] On the other hand, some sources see "impossibility" and impracticability as being related but separate defenses.
The English case that established the doctrine of impossibility at common law is Taylor v. Caldwell.[2]
See also
- Impossibility defense
- Contract law
- Force majeure
- Hardship clause
- Hell or high water clause
- Mutual assent
References
- ↑ See e.g. Transatlantic Financing Corp. v. United States, 363 F.2d 312 (D.C. Cir., 1966)
- ↑ 3 B.&S. 826, 122 Eng.Rep. 309 (K.B. 1863)
