breach of contract

breach of contract

n. failing to perform any term of a contract, written or oral, without a legitimate legal excuse. This may include not completing a job, not paying in full or on time, failure to deliver all the goods, substituting inferior or significantly different goods, not providing a bond when required, being late without excuse, or any act which shows the party will not complete the work ("anticipatory breach.") Breach of contract is one of the most common causes of law suits for damages and/or court-ordered "specific performance" of the contract. (See: breach, anticipatory breach, specific performance)

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breach of contract

in the law of contract a breach of contract occurs when at least one party does not perform his obligations under the contract. A statement or a clear intention that there will be no performance is often known as repudiation. Breach results in an award of damages or specific performance (in England) or specific implement (in Scotland). See also ANTICIPATORY BREACH, REMOTENESS OF DAMAGE.

Collins Dictionary of Law © W.J. Stewart, 2006