Download This PaperCOVID-19 and Frustration in English law
Hugh Beale and Christian Twigg-Flesner, "Covid-19 and frustration in English law" in Sergio Garcia Long, Derecho de los Desastres: Covid-19 (Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, 2020)
16 Pages Posted: 26 Sep 2020
Date Written: June 18, 2020
Abstract
In this chapter, we explore the ways in which the impact of COVID-19 on the performance of contracts would be dealt with under the doctrine of frustration in English law. Starting with the strict obligation to perform a contract, we outline the elements of the doctrine of frustration, including the operation of the Law Reform (Frustrated Contracts) Act 1943 and the possibility of contracting out of the Act. We then examine permanent, temporary and partial impossibility more closely. We also consider the relevance of force majeure and MAC clauses. We then identify elements of the doctrine of frustration which might be open to further development in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, although we do not anticipate significant changes to the law.
Keywords: Frustration, COVID-19, impossibility, English Law
JEL Classification: K12
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation
Hugh Beale
Warwick School of Law ( email )
Gibbet Hill Road
Coventry CV4 7AL, CV4 7AL
United Kingdom
+44 2476-573844 (Phone)
+44 2476-524105 (Fax)
HOME PAGE: http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/law/staff/academic/beale
Christian Twigg-Flesner (Contact Author)
University of Warwick - School of Law ( email )
Gibbet Hill Road
Coventry CV4 7AL, CV4 7AL
United Kingdom
HOME PAGE: http://warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/law/people/c_twigg-flesner