A contract clause excusing both parties from their obligations when extraordinary events beyond their control make performance impossible or impractical.
Force majeure — French for “superior force” — is the clause that says: if something genuinely uncontrollable happens, nobody’s in breach for not delivering. Natural disasters, war, pandemics, and government shutdowns are the classic triggers. A wedding photographer whose venue floods the day before can’t be sued for not shooting.
For sellers, this clause protects you when life detonates through no fault of your own. Make sure it covers the events realistic to your work, spells out what happens to money already paid (refund, credit, or reschedule), and lets you pause obligations rather than eat a penalty.
For buyers, force majeure means an event out of the freelancer’s hands can delay or cancel your project without them owing damages — which is fair, but you’ll want clarity on deposits and rescheduling so you’re not left out both the work and the money.
A common oversight: leaving the clause vague. “Acts of God” alone invites arguments about whether, say, a supplier’s failure counts. List specifics, and connect it to your cancellation policy so the money question is answered before it’s asked.