Tips to Deal with a Contract Breach: Before, During, and After a Legal Action

Every business forms internal and external contracts right from the start of its journey. Every contract is different owing to its unique contract drafting requisites. And the number of parties involved in the contract explains a top provider of contract management services. It is imperative for every party to comply with the terms and conditions until it reaches maturity.

However, a lot of times, one or more parties break the contract rules, which leads to a breach of contract. So, let’s figure out what exactly it is and what steps one should take.

Defining a Contract Breach

A contract breach is an activity that violates the agreed-upon terms and conditions in a contract. It can be anything, from failing to deliver goods within a period to paying late for the services or products.

A legal contract holds immense importance in the eyes of a court. So, if the suffering party is able to prove the other party guilty, one can take legal action against them. As a result, the guilty party is subject to pay penalties for damages.

Types of a Contract Breach

Every contract breach is different in terms of its severity and complexity. However, some of the most common contract breaches are as follows:

1. A Minor Contract Breach:

A partial or minor contract breach can be defined as an act that is not intended for any wrongful doing but is not mentioned in the contract.

Example: An electrician using a different brand with similar wiring quality that isn’t in the contract.

2. A Material Contract Breach:

A material contract breach can be defined as an activity whose consequences create a significant impact on the other party and the project involved. It is something if the other party had known in advance, it would have never approved and got into a contract.

Example: Like a builder using low-quality cement instead of high-quality as per the contract.

3. A Fundamental Contract Breach:

A fundamental contract breach can be defined as an activity that results in significant losses to the other party, leading to suing the other party or termination of a contract instead of damage claims.
Example: A delivery service failing to turn up, resulting in money and reputation loss to the original manufacturer.

4. An Anticipatory Contract Breach:

An anticipatory contract breach can be defined as an activity where one party directly communicates with the other party that it will not keep compliance in the future with the terms and conditions mentioned in the contract.

Example: Promises online promotion after the development of the final product and denies the same.

Before a Legal Action

Before availing any expert legal support services, you must be able to prove the following:

• Existence of a Contract:

Keep a copy of the contract in place or some witnesses when creating it.

• Other Party’s Fault:

Have proof of breaking the terms and conditions discussed while forming the contract.

• Loss Suffering:

Have proof of the damages, incurred as a result of a contract breach by the other party.

The Before Action Letter

This is the first step towards dealing with a contract breach. Before taking legal action, you should write a ‘before action letter’ for a quick resolution. The letter should include the following:

• Contract Breach Details:

Include the details of the contract, specifying the terms and conditions, leading to contract breach.

• Interest Claim:

Include the interest claim in the form of damages against the breach as per the contract.

• Legal Action Time:

As per the Civil Procedure Rules, 14-day time should be given to the other party to resolve the matter outside the court.

During a Legal Action

When the other party does not respond within 14-days, the next step is to start preparing for legal action, which includes taking care of the following:

• Verify whether your claim is a commercial or small claim in your state.

• If your state permits, you may file commercial claims without appointing a business attorney, with a few limitations.

• Take care of the Statute of Limitations, which includes the deadline for taking legal action, since post the deadline one can dismiss the lawsuit filing.

• Make sure all the communication taking place between you and the other party is in a letter or e-mail to ensure written proof of the lawsuit intimation.

After the Legal Action

After the legal action has been taken, make sure the contract breach remedy satisfies you in every sphere, which may include one, some, or all of the following:

• Legal Attorney’s Fees:

This includes paying lawyer his/her fees by the party which loses the lawsuit if contract terms or the law allows.

• Liquidated Damages:

This includes the amount of all the damages as mentioned in the contract and agreed upon by both parties.

• Consequential Damages:

This includes getting additional economic loss amount that was easily foreseeable.

• Nominal Damages:

This includes a token or minimal damages amount in case of a minor breach.

• Compensatory Damages:

This includes getting the entire economic loss amount due to a contract breach.

Conclusion

This brings us to the conclusion that a contract breach results in taking a legal action eventually if one of the parties involved fails to keep compliance with the terms and conditions mentioned in the contract. In any case, hire a professional attorney, right from sending out ‘the before action letter’ to filing a lawsuit due to the legal expertise.

Read Also: Contract Management Services: The Ultimate Choice of Leading Market Players!

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