Force Majeure

Force majeure (French for "greater force") is your contract's backup plan for when life throws major curveballs that no one could have seen coming. Think natural disasters, global pandemics, wars, or other events that are completely out of everyone's control. It's basically your contract's way of saying "Hey, if something huge and unexpected happens that makes it impossible to fulfill our obligations, here's how we'll handle it."

This clause is important because it:

• Spells out which unexpected events qualify (like earthquakes, floods, acts of war)
• Explains what happens if these events occur (extending deadlines or pausing obligations)
• Describes what steps both parties need to take. It could include notification or trying to find workarounds.

The best part about having a force majeure clause? It helps prevent messy situations by giving everyone a clear roadmap of what to do when the unexpected strikes. It's like having an insurance policy built right into your contract – protecting both parties when circumstances go beyond anyone's reasonable control.

Remember though: not every bump in the road qualifies as force majeure. The event needs to be both unforeseeable and outside of either party's control. Economic downturns or typical business challenges usually don't make the cut.