Judicial principle — Kuwait Court of Cassation

Kuwait Court of Cassation principle number 2339

State of Kuwait · Commercial and Labour — Volume 9 · Ministry of Justice — Court of Cassation — Technical Office

English translation of the principle

The occurrence of an exceptional general calamity that was not contemplated and could not have been foreseen when contracting, and which renders performance of the obligation—although still possible—severely onerous for the debtor so as to threaten him with grave loss. The judge may, at the debtor's request and after balancing the interests of both parties, reduce the onerous obligation to the reasonable right.
Arabic original
وقوع نازلة استثنائية عامة لم تكن في الحسبان ولم يكن في الوسع توقعها عند التعاقد وكان من شأنها أن أصبح تنفيذ الالتزام - وأن ظل ممكناً- شديد الإرهاق بالمدين بحيث يهدده بخسارة فادحة. يجوز للقاضي بناء على طلب المدين وبعد الموازنة بين مصلحة الطرفين رد الالتزام المرهق إلى الحق المعقول.
Original Arabic judgment citations

(الطعن ٤٧/٩٤ تجاري جلسة ١٢/٦/١٩٩٤ مج القسم الثالث - المجلد الثالث ص ٢٤٦)

Source: Court of Cassation legal principles collection — Commercial and Labour — Volume 9 — Ministry of Justice — Court of Cassation — Technical Office. Printed page 404. PDF pages: 404.

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