Impossibility of performance

Definition
1  : a doctrine in contract law that a party may be released from liability for breach of contract for failing to perform an obligation that is rendered impossible by uncontrollable circumstances (as death or failure of the means of delivery)
2  : a defense to breach of contract or a basis for release from contractual obligations because of impossibility of performance
compare frustration impracticability



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Based on Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law ©2001.
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