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act of God

An Act of God is a natural force outside of human control (such as an earthquake, tsunami, or hurricane), and may relieve a party or parties to a contract or agreement from having to perform their obligations. Such Acts of God are often addressed in a force majeure clause, which typically appears near the end of the contract or agreement.

In Rhode Island, as in many jurisdictions, an 'Act of God' refers to an unforeseeable natural event that is beyond human control and can potentially relieve parties from fulfilling their contractual obligations. This concept is often encapsulated in a 'force majeure' clause within contracts. Force majeure clauses are designed to outline the conditions under which parties may be excused from performing their duties due to extraordinary events. The specific application of an Act of God in contract law can vary depending on the language of the force majeure clause and the circumstances of the event. Rhode Island courts would interpret these clauses based on the contract's language and the intent of the parties, and whether the event was truly beyond the control of the affected party and directly impacted their ability to perform. It is important for contracts to clearly define what constitutes a force majeure event and the procedures for notifying and resolving such an occurrence to avoid disputes and potential litigation.

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Contracts

act of God

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Contracts

act of God

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