General legal information about contract terms in the UK, not legal advice.
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Be Wise › Contract glossary › Force majeure

Force majeure

A force majeure clause excuses a party from performing when events beyond its control — war, natural disaster, pandemic, government action — prevent it. It usually suspends obligations and lets either party terminate if the event continues too long.

Prepared by a retired English qualified solicitor (LLB, LLM) · reviewed · applies across the UK unless stated · how we draft

In more detail

There is no general force majeure doctrine in UK law, so the protection exists only if the contract includes a clause.

Put it into a contract

Be Contract Wise provides very powerful, carefully prepared tools to draft and review simple or complex contracts under the law of England and Wales or Scots law, explaining every clause in plain English.

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Reviewed 2026-09-24. General legal information, not legal advice.