Force Majeure

If you hear “force majeure,” either you're in France...or something catastrophic happened and someone near you is looking over a contract.

Force majeure (force may-joor, i.e. “greater force” in French) usually refers to a contract clause that lets both parties opt out of the contract if something goes terribly, terribly wrong...like “act of God” level wrong.

For instance, if you signed a contract with someone to do business, but then you look around and realize it’s 2005 and you’re in New Orleans, force majeure can kick in, getting both of you out of the contract so you can do things like get food, maybe some sleep...generally get your life back together.

Acts of God...like floods, fires, hurricanes, tornadoes, and droughts...could make force majeure pop up. Some man-made things can count too, like explosions, war, or terrorism. It’s best if force majeure clauses are specific about what “counts,” because otherwise, you might be stuck in the contract while your life is falling apart. Not good.