Contract clause

What Is a Force Majeure Clause?

A force majeure clause excuses performance when extraordinary events make a contract impossible or impractical to perform.

Plain English meaning

A force majeure clause is the contract version of “something truly outside our control happened.” It may excuse delay or non-performance after events like natural disasters, war, government shutdowns, labor strikes, pandemics, or utility failures. The exact list matters because courts usually read these clauses closely.

Why it matters

It decides whether a missed deadline is forgiven or treated as breach.
It may require fast written notice after the event occurs.
It can excuse one party but not the other if the wording is one-sided.

Where it appears

Commercial leases
Vendor agreements
Event contracts
Construction agreements
Service contracts

Watch for

A narrow event list
No duty to mitigate
Notice deadlines
Payment obligations that still continue

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Common questions

Does force majeure include economic hardship?

Usually not unless the clause says so. A contract becoming more expensive is different from performance becoming legally or physically impossible.

Do I need to give notice to use force majeure?

Often yes. Many clauses require written notice within a short window after the event begins.