Force majeure clause — in Spanish and Italian.

Definition

A clause excusing performance due to extraordinary events.

Spanish and Italian equivalents

In Spanish, Force majeure clause is rendered as Cláusula de fuerza mayor; in Italian, as Clausola di forza maggiore. Spanish equivalents follow Argentine (Rioplatense) usage where it differs from European Spanish. In a certified translation the equivalent is chosen for the target jurisdiction; where the concept has no exact counterpart, the source term is kept alongside a functional explanation.

Translating Contract Law terminology

Contract terminology looks deceptively similar across the three languages, but the doctrines behind the words differ. Consideration has no place in Spanish or Italian contract law, which relies on causa; penalty clauses that a U.S. court would strike down are ordinary cláusulas penales and clausole penali; rescisión, resolución and nulidad are distinct remedies that English often collapses into "termination". In certified translations of agreements, these distinctions are preserved exactly, because they determine what each party can actually claim.

Related terms in Contract Law

• Contract / Agreement — Contrato
• Offer — Oferta
• Acceptance — Aceptación
• Consideration — Contraprestación / Causa
• Consent — Consentimiento
• Object of contract — Objeto del contrato
• Party / Contracting party — Parte contratante
• Clause / Provision — Cláusula
• Term / Condition — Plazo / Condición
• Penalty clause — Cláusula penal
• Warranty — Garantía
• Representation — Declaración / Manifestación
• Breach of contract — Incumplimiento contractual
• Termination — Resolución / Rescisión
• Withdrawal / Rescission right — Desistimiento / Revocación
• Renewal — Renovación / Prórroga
• Amendment — Modificación / Addenda
• Performance — Ejecución del contrato
• Delivery — Entrega
• Price — Precio
• Payment — Pago
• Deposit / Earnest money — Seña / Arras
• Sale — Compraventa
• Lease / Rental — Locación / Arrendamiento / Alquiler
• Loan (for use) — Comodato
• Loan (of money) — Mutuo / Préstamo
• Mandate / Agency — Mandato
• Deposit (bailment) — Depósito
• Donation / Gift — Donación
• Barter / Exchange — Permuta
• Service contract — Contrato de servicios / locación de obra
• Franchise — Franquicia
• Standard form contract — Contrato de adhesión
• Unfair term — Cláusula abusiva
• Confidentiality agreement (NDA) — Acuerdo de confidencialidad
• Letter of intent — Carta de intención
• Pre-contract / Preliminary contract — Boleto / Precontrato
• Assignment of contract — Cesión del contrato
• Arbitration clause — Cláusula arbitral / compromisoria
• Counter-offer — Contraoferta
• Privity of contract — Efecto relativo del contrato
• Specific performance — Cumplimiento específico / forzoso
• Liquidated damages — Daños liquidados / cláusula penal
• Frustration of contract — Frustración del contrato / fin del contrato
• Condition precedent — Condición suspensiva
• Condition subsequent — Condición resolutoria
• Severability clause — Cláusula de divisibilidad / salvaguarda
• Governing law clause — Cláusula de ley aplicable
• Entire agreement clause — Cláusula de integridad

Browse the full Contract Law area, return to the dictionary index, or search all 712 terms in the interactive dictionary (also available as a PDF).

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This page is for general orientation only. It is not legal advice and does not substitute for advice from licensed counsel in the relevant jurisdiction. Terminology varies between countries and between civil-law and common-law systems; the equivalents shown here are the most common in cross-border practice.