# Breach of contract

Source: https://contracko.com/es/glosario/incumplimiento-de-contrato

# Breach of contract

A failure to perform any obligation under a contract without a lawful excuse.

## Definición

Breach of contract occurs when a party does not perform a promised obligation (on time, in full, or at all) and has no valid excuse such as force majeure. Depending on severity, the other party may claim damages, suspend its own performance, or dissolve the contract. Under Dutch law a breach (tekortkoming) gives rise to damages under article 6:74 and, for sufficiently serious failures, a right of dissolution under 6:265.

## Ejemplo

> A supplier delivers software a month late and outside spec; the customer may claim resulting losses and, if the delay is material, dissolve the agreement.

## Por qué es un riesgo para la empresa

Breach is where contract value leaks away. When the other side underdelivers, the cost lands on you: delayed projects, rework, lost revenue, and the time and legal fees of enforcing your rights. The harder problem is usually evidence. Months later, few teams can show exactly what was promised, when it was due, and what was chased, which is precisely what you need to claim damages or dissolve.

## Cómo gestionarlo

- Record the agreed obligation, deadline and acceptance criteria the moment you sign, so "late" or "defective" is provable later.
- Send a written notice of default (ingebrekestelling) with a reasonable cure period before you claim damages or dissolve.
- Keep dated evidence of the shortfall and your communications about it in one place.
- Decide whether the breach is serious enough to dissolve, or whether suspending your own performance is the better remedy.
- Escalate on a fixed timeline, so a claim does not weaken while you wait for the other side to fix it.

### Cómo ayuda Contracko

Contracko builds that evidence trail for you. Every obligation, deadline and renewal is extracted and tracked in one place, with reminders before they fall due, so a looming breach surfaces early instead of after the damage is done. When something does go wrong, you already have the dated record of what was agreed and when, ready to support a notice of default or a claim.

## Referencias legales

- [BW 6:74 Dutch Civil Code: damages for breach Derecho neerlandés](https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0005289)
- [BW 6:265 Dutch Civil Code: dissolution Derecho neerlandés](https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0005289)

Salvo indicación en contrario, las referencias remiten al derecho neerlandés (Burgerlijk Wetboek, el Código Civil neerlandés); los instrumentos de la UE como el RGPD se aplican en toda la UE. Se trata de información general, no de asesoramiento legal. Otras jurisdicciones tratan estos conceptos de forma distinta. Verifique el texto vigente y su situación con un abogado cualificado.

## Relevante para

[Software & SaaS](https://contracko.com/es/sectores/software-saas)[Industria manufacturera](https://contracko.com/es/sectores/fabricacion)[Construcción](https://contracko.com/es/sectores/industria-construccion)

## Cláusulas relacionadas

- [Termination for Cause Clause](https://contracko.com/es/biblioteca-de-clausulas/resolucion-por-incumplimiento)
- [Limitation of Liability Clause](https://contracko.com/es/biblioteca-de-clausulas/limitacion-de-responsabilidad)
- [Liquidated Damages Clause](https://contracko.com/es/biblioteca-de-clausulas/clausula-penal)

## Términos relacionados

- [Liability](https://contracko.com/es/glosario/responsabilidad)
- [Rescission](https://contracko.com/es/glosario/rescision)
- [Force majeure](https://contracko.com/es/glosario/fuerza-mayor)
- [Good faith](https://contracko.com/es/glosario/buena-fe)

### No vuelva a perder un plazo de contrato

- La IA encuentra las fechas de renovación y preaviso
- Los riesgos y obligaciones afloran automáticamente
- Los recordatorios le ayudan a actuar antes de que las fechas se escapen

Suelte un contrato para empezar

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Conforme con el RGPD. Cifrado. Nunca se usa para entrenar la IA.

## Preguntas frecuentes

Preguntas comunes sobre este término.

- **Q:** What is the difference between breach and dissolution?
  **A:** Breach is the failure to perform; dissolution is one remedy that unwinds the contract when the breach is serious enough.

- **Q:** Do I have to send a notice of default first?
  **A:** Usually yes. Under Dutch law the debtor is generally in default only after a written notice setting a reasonable cure period, unless performance is already permanently impossible or a fixed deadline has passed.

- **Q:** Can I withhold my own performance if the other party breaches?
  **A:** Often, yes. The right of suspension (opschorting) lets you pause your obligation in proportion to the other side's failure, but it must be proportionate and exercised in good faith.

- **Q:** How serious does a breach have to be to dissolve the contract?
  **A:** Dissolution under BW 6:265 requires a breach that justifies it; a minor or trivial shortfall does not. For lasting impossibility you can dissolve immediately, otherwise generally only after the debtor is in default.

- **Q:** How long do I have to act on a breach?
  **A:** Claims for breach are subject to limitation periods (in many cases five years under Dutch law), and waiting too long can also weaken your position. Document the breach and act promptly to preserve your remedies.

## Vea estos términos en sus propios contratos

Suba un contrato y Contracko extrae los términos, fechas y obligaciones clave, y luego le recuerda cada uno de ellos antes de que importe.

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