Contract Termination, Cancellation and Force Majeure
Frustration of Performance of Contract and Force Majeure Clause
Event Cancellation Claims Lawyers
Court Orders Requiring Performance of Contract Obligations

Many contracts will include explicit terms setting out the various ways in which that contract may be terminated. Generally speaking, a termination clause is a clause that sets out when and how the contract can be terminated, as well as describing the rights and obligations of the parties after the contract is terminated.

Voluntary Termination Clauses

Some contracts will contain a termination for convenience clause, which would allow one (or both) parties to terminate the contract for any reason without any penalty. Similarly, an early termination clause may also impose monetary orother penalties to a party who wishes to trigger an early termination to a contract. Often, the ability to terminate, either with or without a penalty, will only be available in certain situations or for limited periods of time.

Other Grounds for Termination

Further, there are a wide variety of circumstances that may result in the termination of the contract even where there is no contractual language dealing with those issues. In some situations, the court will treat the contract as terminated, and attempt to put the parties in the situation they would be in had the contract been completed. In other situations, the court will rescind the contract, and attempt to put the parties into the situation they were in before the contract was created.

Some potential grounds for termination or rescission include:

Force Majeure Clauses

Force majeure clauses allow for the termination of the contract or postponement of a party’s obligations or covenants where events occur that: (a) were outside the control of the parties, and (b) makes complying with the contract impossible. Because force majeure originates in civil law, and not the common law, the scope and applicability of force majeure in Ontario is determined by the specific wording of the contract. Where a force majeure provision is absent or inapplicable, parties may be able to rely on the common law principle of frustration, though frustration is more limited in its application.

At Gilbertson Davis LLP, we can review your rights, obligations, and options regarding your contract, including options for enforcing specific performance, obtaining alternative performance, or equitable claims for unjust enrichment in the event of a purported termination.

We can also advise and represent you with respect to any post-contractual obligations, including non-competition, non-solicitation, and confidentiality clauses.

Court Orders Requiring Performance of Contract Obligations

In appropriate  circumstances a party to a contract may seek an interim, interlocutory or permanent injunction  requiring performance of contract obligations  other party to the agreement from failing or refusing to perform the obligations of the contract, or taking steps in preparation of doing so. Sometimes this interim, interlocutory or permanent remedy is viewed as a declaration and mandatory order.

We can provide advice on these and other types of urgent remedies, whether pertaining to an existing or contemplated legal action in Ontario, in relation to a domestic (Ontario) or international arbitration, or when the relief is sought in connection with proceedings brought or intended in another jurisdiction.

A party to an agreement seeking this kind of injunction or order should not delay in seeking legal advice and bringing the appropriate legal proceedings for this remedy.

Please also see our other webpages concerning breach of contract and with respect to injunctions and other urgent equitable remedies.

Contract Types

We can advise clients on a wide variety of contractual arrangements, including:

If you are having concerns about the future of your contracts, or have any concerns at any stage of the contract process, contact Gilbertson Davis LLP to arrange an initial consultation.  Do not delay, since time may be of the essence and your rights and obligations may be affected by delay in taking the proper course of action.

Other Termination Clauses

Many contracts will also contain clauses which will call for an automatic termination of a contract if certain events occur (or don’t occur). These clauses can relate to:

Please contact Gilbertson Davis LLP to arrange an initial consultation.