What are the defenses to a breach of contract claim?

In Hawaii, breach of contract is a common legal issue that can have serious consequences for all parties involved. A breach of contract claim asserts that a party has failed to fulfill the terms of an agreement, resulting in damages. Fortunately, defendants in such cases have some available defenses, which can help to reduce liability or avoid it entirely. The first defense is that the defendant did not actually breach the contract. This means that the defendant did fulfill the terms of the agreement, or was prevented from doing so by a legitimate reason, such as an “act of God” or an unforeseen obstacle. Another common defense is that the contract was invalid. A contract can be invalid for a variety of reasons, including lack of capacity to enter into the agreement, lack of consideration, or the use of fraud or coercion. The defendant may also argue that the plaintiff’s damages are not caused by the alleged breach. In this case, the defendant is asserting that the plaintiff’s damages were not due to his or her failure to perform, but instead to some other cause. Finally, a defendant may assert the defense of release. This occurs when a plaintiff voluntarily relinquishes his or her right to pursue a claim or remedy a breach of contract. All of these defenses can help to reduce or eliminate liability in a breach of contract claim. As such, it is important for defendants in such cases to understand and assert their available defense.

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