hardship clause

[/ˈhɑːrdʃɪp klɔːz/]
nounpl: hardship clauses
cláusula de dificuldade excessiva
1. A contractual provision that allows a party to request modification or termination of a contract when unforeseen circumstances make performance excessively burdensome or economically impracticable
The hardship clause in the supply contract allowed either party to renegotiate terms if raw material costs increased by more than 30%.
A cláusula de dificuldade excessiva no contrato de fornecimento permitia que qualquer parte renegociasse os termos se os custos de matérias-primas aumentassem mais de 30%.
2. A legal provision that relieves a party from contract obligations when performance becomes extraordinarily difficult due to supervening events beyond their control
During the pandemic, several companies invoked the hardship clause to suspend their delivery obligations.
Durante a pandemia, várias empresas invocaram a cláusula de dificuldade excessiva para suspender suas obrigações de entrega.
The hardship clause concept is particularly important in Brazilian commercial law, where Article 478 of the Civil Code (Código Civil) recognizes 'onerosidade excessiva' (excessive burden). This reflects the civil law tradition's approach to contract equity. In the USA, similar concepts exist under 'commercial impracticability' (UCC § 2-615) and common law doctrine. International contracts often reference UNIDROIT Principles of International Commercial Contracts, which explicitly address hardship in Articles 6.2.1-6.2.3, making this clause crucial for multinational business dealings involving Brazilian companies.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
force majeure clausehardship provisionimpracticability clausecommercial impracticability clausechanged circumstances clause
Antonyms / Antônimos
binding obligationabsolute commitment

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
cláusula de dificuldade excessiva
Standard legal terminology used in Brazilian commercial and civil law
São Paulo
cláusula de onerosidade excessiva
Alternative term commonly used in São Paulo's legal practice, based on Civil Code Article 478
Portugal
cláusula de alteração de circunstâncias
Portuguese legal framework refers to 'alteração de circunstâncias' (change of circumstances)
International Commerce
cláusula de hardship (anglicismo)
Term often kept in English in international contracts and UNIDROIT contexts

Related Words

contract lawforce majeurecommercial frustrationimpossibility of performanceunforeseen circumstancescontract modificationrenegotiationUNIDROIT Principles

Related Idioms & Phrases

invoke a hardship clause
trigger the hardship provision
claim hardship relief
hardship grounds for contract modification
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