Contracts in times of COVID-19 – Force Majeure and Doctrine of Frustration

The COVID-19 crisis has affected businesses across India in various ways like a drop in demand, labour shortage, supply chain disruption, etc. One of the impacts of the crisis is on the firms’ ability to fulfil obligations under various contracts in India. In this context, firms are looking at the ‘Force Majeure’ clause to provide respite in times of such unforeseen crises not only in the present but also in the future.

What is ‘Force Majeure’?

• Force Majeure is a term used to refer to an unanticipated and uncontrollable event or effect. The Force Majeure clause is a contractual provisio