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Arts & Culture

The Doctrine of Frustration in Contract Discharge

Quick fact

The doctrine of frustration originated in the 1863 'coronation cases'—when the king's procession was cancelled due to illness, renters were excused from paying for rooms they never used. This created the 'frustration of purpose' strand, which excuses performance when the contract's central purpose is destroyed.

Why this is interesting

You sign a contract to rent a room to watch a royal procession, but the procession is cancelled. Do you still have to pay? This is the puzzle that gave rise to the doctrine of frustration.