material inability
[/məˈtɪriəl ɪˌneɪˈbɪləti/]
nounpl: material inabilities
incapacidade material
1. A lack of physical or tangible capacity to perform a task or fulfill an obligation due to practical circumstances or lack of necessary resources
The defendant claimed material inability to pay the debt due to bankruptcy.
O réu alegou incapacidade material de pagar a dívida devido à falência.
2. In legal contexts, the absence of physical means or practical possibility to perform a required action, distinguishing it from mere unwillingness
The court recognized the contractor's material inability to complete the project after the natural disaster destroyed all equipment.
O tribunal reconheceu a incapacidade material do contratante de completar o projeto após o desastre natural destruir todo o equipamento.
This term is particularly important in Brazilian and Portuguese legal systems, where it distinguishes between actual physical/practical impossibility and refusal or negligence. Courts often consider material inability as a valid defense in civil liability cases and contract disputes.
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