Indian Contract Act, 1872
39. Effect of refusal of party to
perform promise wholly
When a party to a contract has refused to perform, or disabled
himself from performing, his promise in its entirety, the promisee may put an end
to the contract, unless he has signified, by words or conduct, his acquiescence
in its continuance.
Illustrations
(a) A, a singer, enters into contract with B, the manager of a
theatre, to sing at his theatre two nights in every week during next two months,
and B engages to pay her 100 rupees for each night's performance. On the sixth
night A willfully absents herself from the theatre. B is at liberty to put an
end to the contract.
(b) A, a singer, enters into contract with B, the manager of a
theatre, to sing at his theatre two nights in every week during next two
months, and B engages to pay her at the rate of 100 rupees for each night. On
the sixth night A willfully absents herself. With the assent of B, A sings on
the seventh night. B has signified his acquiescence in the continuance of the
contract, and cannot now put an end to it, but is entitled to compensation for
the damage sustained by him through A's failure to sing on the sixth night.