Indian Contract Act, 1872
52. Order of performance of reciprocal
promises
Where the order in which reciprocal promises are to be performed
is expressly fixed by the contract, they shall be performed in that order, and
where the orders is not expressly fixed by the contract, they shall be
performed in that order which the nature of transaction requires.
Illustrations
(a) A and B contract that A shall build a house for B at a fixed
price. A's promise to build the house must be performed before B' s promise to
pay for it.
(b) A and B contract that A shall make over his stock-in-trade
to B at a fixed price, and B promise to give security for the payment of the
money A's promise need not be performed until the security is given, for the
nature of the transaction requires that A should have security before he
delivers up his stock.