What is the doctrine of frustration in a contract?

The doctrine of frustration in a contract is a legal concept that applies when there is an unforeseen event or change in circumstances that renders performance of a contract impossible. This doctrine is part of contract law in Mississippi, and it states that if an "act of God" or other unexpected event occurs that was not the fault of either party to the contract, then the contract can be voided. This is because the unforeseen event made performance of the contract impossible or impractical. For instance, if a contract was made for a large event to be held in a specific building that was then destroyed in a natural disaster, the doctrine of frustration would come into play. The contract would be considered void and unenforceable because the event could not take place in the destroyed building. Similarly, a contract may be voided if a party to the contract dies or becomes incapacitated before the contract can be performed. The doctrine of frustration in a contract serves as a safety net for parties involved when unexpected obstacles arise. It helps to ensure fairness by shielding them from being held to an agreement that was suddenly made impossible. It also helps to ensure that parties do not suffer from an unjust or undeserved financial burden due to events outside of their control.

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What is the doctrine of frustration in a contract?

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