# Force Majeure Clause

Source: https://contracko.com/clause-library/force-majeure

# Force Majeure Clause

Excuses a party from performing when extraordinary events beyond its control make performance impossible.

## What it is

A force majeure clause allocates the risk of events outside the parties' reasonable control, such as natural disasters, war, pandemics and government action, that prevent one party from meeting its obligations. It defines which events qualify, what notice is required, and what happens to the contract while the event continues.

## Why it matters

Without a clear clause, a disrupted party may be liable for breach even when performance was genuinely impossible. A well-drafted clause sets objective triggers and remedies, avoiding costly disputes over who bears pandemic- or supply-shock losses.

## How to apply it

- List qualifying events but keep an objective "beyond reasonable control" catch-all.
- Require prompt written notice and ongoing mitigation efforts.
- Set a long-stop: either party may terminate if the event lasts beyond, say, 60 days.

## Sample wording

> Neither party shall be liable for any failure or delay in performance caused by events beyond its reasonable control, provided it notifies the other party promptly and uses reasonable efforts to mitigate.

## Negotiation tips

- • Clarify whether payment obligations are suspended or merely deferred during the event.

## Common pitfalls

- • Treating economic hardship or rising costs alone as force majeure, which they ordinarily are not.

### How Contracko helps

When a force-majeure event hits, you need to know fast which of your contracts contain a force-majeure clause and what each one requires. Contracko keeps every agreement in one searchable repository, and its AI review flags missing or one-sided force-majeure wording before you sign. Notice deadlines and long-stop dates are tracked with reminders, so you do not lose a right by notifying late.

## Legal references

- [BW 6:75 Dutch Civil Code: force majeure (overmacht) Dutch law](https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0005289)
- [BW 6:248 Reasonableness and fairness Dutch law](https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0005289)

Unless marked otherwise, references are to Dutch law (Burgerlijk Wetboek, the Dutch Civil Code); EU instruments such as the GDPR apply across the EU. This is general information, not legal advice. Other jurisdictions treat these concepts differently. Verify the current text and your situation with a qualified lawyer.

## Relevant for

[Logistics & Distribution](https://contracko.com/industries/logistics)[Manufacturing](https://contracko.com/industries/manufacturing)[Construction](https://contracko.com/industries/construction-industry)[Shipping](https://contracko.com/industries/shipping)

## Related clauses

- [Limitation of Liability Clause](https://contracko.com/clause-library/limitation-of-liability)
- [Termination for Cause Clause](https://contracko.com/clause-library/termination-for-cause)
- [Indemnification Clause](https://contracko.com/clause-library/indemnification)

## Related terms

- [Force majeure](https://contracko.com/glossary/force-majeure)
- [Breach of contract](https://contracko.com/glossary/breach-of-contract)
- [Liability](https://contracko.com/glossary/liability)

### Never miss a contract deadline again

- AI finds renewal and notice dates
- Risks and obligations are surfaced automatically
- Reminders help you act before dates slip

Drop a contract to start

PDF, DOCX, PNG, or JPG

[Start 7-day trial](https://app.contracko.com/register?utm_source=clause_library_sidebar&utm_medium=lead_magnet&utm_campaign=clause_library_sidebar_contract_upload&content_slug=force-majeure&content_title=Force+Majeure+Clause&cta_placement=clause_library_sidebar_cta&source_tool=clause_library_sidebar_force-majeure)

GDPR compliant. Encrypted. Never used for AI training.

## Frequently asked questions

Common questions about this clause.

- **Q:** Does a pandemic count as force majeure?
  **A:** Only if the clause covers it or performance is genuinely impossible; many contracts now name epidemics explicitly.

- **Q:** Are payments excused during force majeure?
  **A:** Usually not. Payment of money is rarely impossible, so most clauses suspend performance obligations while keeping payment due.

- **Q:** Is force majeure the same as hardship?
  **A:** No. Force majeure excuses performance that has become impossible; a hardship clause addresses performance that is still possible but has become excessively burdensome, and it usually triggers renegotiation rather than suspension.

- **Q:** What happens if there is no force majeure clause in the contract?
  **A:** Dutch law still applies: under BW 6:75 a party is not liable for a failure that cannot be attributed to it. But the statutory test is narrower and less predictable than a drafted clause, so disputes are more likely.

- **Q:** How long can performance be suspended before the contract ends?
  **A:** For as long as the clause allows. Most include a long-stop date, often 30 to 90 days, after which either party may terminate without liability if the event continues.

- **Q:** Does the affected party have to do anything to rely on force majeure?
  **A:** Yes. Most clauses require prompt written notice and reasonable efforts to mitigate the impact. Failing to give timely notice can forfeit the protection even if the event itself clearly qualifies.

## Never miss a risky clause again

Contracko automatically reviews every contract for this clause and the obligations it creates.

[Start 7-day free trial](https://app.contracko.com/register)

Book demo