USLegal » Legal Definitions Home » M » Material Breach Law & Legal Definition

Material Breach Law & Legal Definition

Material breach is a contract law term which refers to a failure of performance under the contract which is significant enough to give the aggrieved party the right to sue for breach of contract. When there has been a material breach, the aggrieved party is also relieved of a duty of further performance under the contract. However, a minor divergence from the terms of the contract is not a material breach. A material breach is one that is significant enough to destroy the value of the contract.

A lawsuit for material breach of contract is a civil action and the remedies awarded are designed to place the injured party in the position they would be in if not for the breach. Remedies for contractual breaches are not designed to punish the breaching party.





Legal Definitions

Search Definitions

    Search Term(s):
    Exact word match:   

Get a Term Defined


Submit a Definition

  • Submit a Definition Help us build our database. Free listings for attorneys.
  • » Submit a Definition

  • Ask A Lawyer Online!
    An attorney will answer your question - normally within 24 hours.

Help Build USLegal

  • Join our Team and help build USLegal. Many opportunities for participation so Join our Network.
    Build USLegal

Read a Law Digest

  • Need to read the law or find an answer to a legal question? Visit our Law Digest for the largest selection of law digests and answers available.
    Go to Law Digest

Form Packages


Legal Life

Form Drafting

  • Can′t find the form you need, or need a form we offer revised for your situation? Submit your request and our attorneys will review the request and let you know if the form can be provided.
    Submit a drafting request...
Legal Forms Home