Contracts are essential for conducting business in Germany, and contract breaches can lead to significant complications for the parties involved. The range of resolutions varies depending on the nature of the contract. At Schlun & Elseven Rechtsanwälte, our contract lawyers provide expert legal guidance and outline the options available to our clients.
Contract Breach and Compensation
A breach of contract under German law refers to not fulfilling a contractual obligation. In the event of such a breach, there is the possibility of receiving compensation for the damage caused by the breach. Under German law, compensation is available for material and immaterial damage caused by contract violations. Both types of damage can be found due to the same event.
Under German law, the injured party needs to prove the causation, as the burden of proof is on the claimant’s side. In such cases, they need to establish that there was a breach of contract, there was damage and show that the breach caused the damage. The accused must aim to prove that there is no fault on their part.
German law does not distinguish between material and non-material breaches when determining breach. Even minor violations may give rise to damage claims; however, such claims only arise where the injured party can prove causation.
When determining whether there is a breach of contract, there are specific prerequisites that need to be fulfilled:
- A contractual obligation needs to exist,
- A breach of duty attributable to the party needs to have occurred,
- The defendant is liable for the breach of duty
- Possible contributory negligence of the injured party may need to be considered.
It should be noted that the type of contract is decisive in determining whether compensation claims apply. Compensation claims arise due to contractual obligations and legal or statutory obligations.
At Schlun & Elseven Rechtsanwälte, our lawyers comprehensively advise business and private clients concerning contract breaches. Allow them to analyse your situation and determine how best to proceed. Our lawyers will thoroughly examine the situation to determine whether compensation can be claimed in your case and will represent you in legal matters.
Determining Breach of Duty
When facing a claim of breach of contract, determining whether a breach of a duty has arisen from the contractual obligation is critical. Such a breach of duty is defined in law as where the non-fulfillment of a duty owed has happened.
Breaches of contractual obligations can take the form of primary obligations, ancillary obligations and secondary obligations. Primary obligations refer to the main provision of the contractual relationship. In a purchase contract for example, the seller should provide the desired object, free of any defects, while the purchaser should be able to make a full payment for that object. Such interactions are the primary obligations. The secondary obligations refers to other aspects that may arise in the course of the transaction such as maintenance, acceptance of other clauses, and advice.
Where a contract has broken down, the person responsible for the breach of duty is often obliged to pay damages. However, crucial factors such as the liability level plays an essential role. Often, the claimant must demonstrat that the contract was breached due to intent or negligence, however, in some circumstances stricter rules can apply regarding the liability. In certain circumstances, the actions of another individual can still result in a breach by one of the parties. For example, if an employee of a company breaches a contract, the company or the employee’s manager can be found liable.
At S&E, our lawyers will examine the breach of contract from all angles and determine whether the party involved is liable for it. Should you be accused of breaching a contract, our team will examine the claim and determine the best strategy applicable to your situation.