FASHION LAW


Force Majeure Clauses – A Means of Protection?


By Stephen Sidkin N


ews media reports draw attention to a fast approaching energy gap. Within the lifetime of the current Parliament, the UK could face a switch off in electricity supply. gas stocks were down to just a few days.


For sure, energy hardship for many beckons. But for businesses, the


result is likely to be that many commercial contracts will not be performed. The consequences of non-performance will depend on what the contract


does or does not say. Many commercial agreements incorporate a specific clause designed to apply where contractual performance has become impossible because of circumstances which were not envisaged by the parties and are outside their control. Typically a provision of this nature is known as a force majeure clause. Such clauses can be quite detailed. Usually a well drafted clause will set out a series of force majeure events.


It will then also state the


consequences of such an event occurring. Often the clause will refer to Acts of God. What is less clear is what


happens if “Acts of God” is defined as “including fire, flood, earthquake, storm, hurricane or other natural disaster”. To what extent is “other natural disaster” to be interpreted by reference to the specific “Acts of God” which are listed before it? As an alternative, a force majeure clause can provide a “catchall”.


For example, this could be in terms of any cause or circumstance beyond the seller’s reasonable control. But how to define “beyond reasonable control”? Some clauses may deal with this provision by restricting the relief available in a situation where the party has contributed to the delay before the event occurred. However, even where a specific Act of God is an event covered by the


force majeure clause, it is still necessary to carefully examine the way in which the clause works. For example, does it require the party affected by the event of force majeure to notify the other party of the event’s occurrence? Is there an obligation which requires the affected party to try and work round the force majeure event? Often force majeure clauses will provide for the suspension of obligations during the period of the force majeure event.


If this continues beyond a


specific time, it is usual for the clause then to provide for the contract to be cancelled. Most importantly is the question of the obligation of the party subject to


the force majeure event to compensate the other party. Given the very nature of the force majeure clause, the clause should state that the party suffering the event is not liable to compensate the other party. When a particular event occurs, it is understandable that the parties will


seek to determine whether it is covered by the force majeure clause. However, this is only part of the story insofar that it is necessary for the clause to have been properly incorporated into the contract in the first place.


Indeed, last winter the UK’s


different from that which they imagined. The bad news is that situations where a contract can be said to be frustrated are extremely narrow and unpredictable in their application. Over the years the courts have tended to restrict the extent of the doctrine of frustration. This is to try to prevent parties from escaping from bad bargains. As a result there is every incentive for parties making a contract to


incorporate a force majeure clause. An express clause builds in a degree of certainty.


produce an arbitrary result.


to happen in particular situations. In so doing they will be able to progress their business with a degree of certainty that would otherwise be missing. Looking around the world it is possible to see periodic fuel blockades,


acts of terrorism, and transport strikes that happen on a regular basis as a series of unrelated direct acts or demonstrations being taken by different groups.


It is likely that such actions will grow in number and force


irrespective of whether or not they are supplemented by Acts of God. As such, the question is whether or not you want your contracts to be covered in such situations?


Stephen Sidkin is a commercial law partner at City law firm Fox Williams LLP


(www.fashionlaw.co.uk; www.foxwilliams.com) © F


One example that illustrates the importance of using force majeure


clauses as a means of protection, concerns a former footwear client of ours. It was shipping ladies shoes from the Far East. Unfortunately during the voyage the container in which the shoes had been placed fell off the ship and into the sea. As a result our client was unable to fulfill retailers' orders and faced


If it has not been, the clause will be of no value whatsoever. A clause


will only be incorporated if it is brought to the attention of the other party at the time the contract is made. Despite belief to the contrary, it most certainly is not incorporated into a contract if it appears on the reverse of an invoice!


In such a situation the


clause will not be worth the paper it is written on, let alone the ink used to print it. If the contract does not contain a force majeure clause then the position is far less certain.


potential claims for damages for non delivery. However, fortunately, its standard terms and conditions of sale:


1. Contained a satisfactory force majeure clause; and 2. Had been properly incorporated into the contracts which it had made with retailers. (I make this point, as often this is not the case. Many clients do not appreciate the need to do so!)


It may be that the contract will be regarded as frustrated.


This occurs when a supervening event not envisaged by the parties and not due to their fault renders the contract impossible to perform or radically


32 • FOOTWEAR TODAY • JUNE/JULY 2013


Our client was therefore able to avoid contractual liability. Stephen Sidkin.


ox Williams LLP 2013


It guards against the possible application of frustration which can It is also open to the parties to specify what is


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