

(Markham: LexisNexis Canada, 2012), at p. In her treatise, Canadian Contract Law, 3d ed. Anticipatory repudiation is essentially the same as repudiation simpliciter – the only difference is timing. Repudiation occurs by the words or conduct of one party to a contract that show an intention not to be bound by the contract: Guarantee Co. In this case, John can bring a lawsuit against Bob for the breach of contract, or he can choose to sell the car to another person.Remedy Drug Store Co. In this case, Bob is insisting on additional items that were not part of the original contract, and is therefore considered to be in anticipatory repudiation. On December 29th, Bob calls John to say he has changed his mind regarding the purchase price for the car, asking John to throw in a set of aftermarket rims valued at $3,000. John and Bob enter into a contract in which Bob agrees to purchase the car for $50,000 on January 1st. John can now sell the car to another party, or file a lawsuit against Bob for breaching the contract.Įxample 2: John owns a large fleet of classic cars and he decides to sell one of the cars to Bob. Since direct communication took place, John can reasonably determine that Bob is in anticipatory repudiation, or will breach the contact, releasing him from his duty to hold the vehicle. On December 29th, Bob calls John to say he will not be able to come up with the entire purchase price of $50,000 by the set date. Examples of Anticipatory RepudiationĮxample 1: John owns a large fleet of classic cars and decides to sell one of the cars to Bob. In the event the breaching party indicates it will indeed uphold the terms of the contract in a timely manner, or reimburses the Plaintiff for the delay, the lawsuit for anticipatory repudiation may be cancelled. In proving anticipatory repudiation, the Plaintiff must provide the circumstances of the breach, as well as show that he suffered damages as a result. The person or entity filing the lawsuit (the Plaintiff) must prove that the promising party (the Defendant) did not, or could not, fulfill the terms of the contract. Proving Anticipatory Repudiationįiling a lawsuit claiming that a party breached the contact is not enough on its own. Objects or assets necessary to fulfill the contract are sold to a third party or otherwise disposed of. The actions of one party to a contract make it obvious that he will not, or cannot, fulfill the terms of the contract. One party to a contract tells another, by verbal or written notice, that he will not fulfill the terms of the contract. There are three main types of anticipatory repudiation, and while not all three have to be in place for a person to file a lawsuit, it does occasionally occur. This enables the innocent party to start the proceedings as soon as possible to recover damages.

If it becomes clear at any point that the promising party is unable or unwilling to fulfill the contract terms by the set deadline, the innocent party can file a lawsuit. indicating that he will not perform the duties or actions as set forth in the contract What is Anticipatory RepudiationĪnticipatory repudiation is a law that gives the innocent party to a contract the right to bring a lawsuit against the breaching party before the actual breach even occurs. A breach of contract caused by a party’s refusing to honor the contract, i.e.
