Indian Contract Act, 1872
55. Effect of failure to
perform at fixed time, in contract in which time is essential
When a party
to a contract promises to do a certain thing at or before a specified time, or
certain things at or before a specified time and fails to do such thing at or
before a specified time, and fails to do such thing at or before a specified
time, the contract or so much of it as has not been performed, becomes voidable
at the option of the promisee, if the intention of the parties was that time
should be of essence of the contract.
Effect of such
failure when time is not essential:
If it was not the intention of the parties that time should be of the essence of
the contract, the contract does not become voidable by the failure to do such
thing at or before the specified time; but the promisee is entitled to
compensation from the promisor for any loss occasioned to him by such failure.
Effect of
acceptance of performance at lime other than that agreed upon :
If, in case of
a contract voidable on account of the promisor's failure to perform his promise
at the time agreed, the promisee accepts performance of such promise at any time
other than that agreed, the promisee cannot claim compensation of any loss
occasioned by the non-performance of the promise at the time agreed, unless, at
the time of acceptance, he gives notice to the promisor of his intention to do
so.