An unforeseen event or circumstance that occurs which is beyond a party's control and delays or prevents the performance of a contractual obligation.

Force majeure is not a common law concept, although it is related to the common law doctrine of frustration (see also Subpart 4 of Part 2 of the Contract and Commercial Law Act 2017). It is therefore usual for the parties to specify in a contract that a party is not liable for its failure to perform an obligation where that failure is due to force majeure. The clause will generally define what constitutes force majeure and the consequences, which may include suspension, relief from liability, further time for performance or termination. For more information, see: