Terminating contracts

Copyright © 2025 LexisNexis

There are a number of ways in which a contract may be brought to an end. The Practice Notes in this sub-topic summarise the main ways of ending contractual relations and the consequences for each party when that happens. It also includes a series of bespoke Precedents with comprehensive drafting notes tailored to different breach and termination scenarios.

For a summary, in tabular form, of key and/or illustrative cases on contractual disputes (for judgments dating 1 January 2020 onwards), see Practice Notes:

  1. •

    Contract disputes—key and illustrative decisions (2024–2025)

  2. •

    Contract disputes—key and illustrative decisions (2020–2023) [Archived]

Different avenues for terminating contracts

There are a number of ways a contract may be brought to an end, including where:

    •one party is in breach of contract entitling the other party to terminate the contract (termination for breach of contract)•one party is entitled to rescind the contract by reason of the other party’s misrepresentation, undue influence or duress (rescission)•the contract is void by reason of mistake, non est factum or statute (void contract)•the parties agree to bring ...

To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.

Existing user? Sign-in TAKE A FREE TRIAL
Powered by Lexis+®
Latest Dispute Resolution News

HMCTS outlines strategy for remote court participation

The HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) has published its Remote Participation Approach docum...

SRA launches consultation on 2025/26 business plan

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has launched a consultation on its 2025/26 Business P...

Dispute Resolution weekly highlights—8 May 2025

This week's edition of Dispute Resolution weekly highlights includes: analysis of a number of k...

Supreme Court confirms that section 213 of the Insolvency Act 1986 is not restricted to those i...

The Supreme Court unanimously dismissed both appeals. Applying ordinary principles of statutory...
View Dispute Resolution by content type :  
News
Practice notes
Precedents
Q&As

Popular documents

Negligence—key elements to establish a negligence claim

Negligence—key elements to establish a negligence claimThis Practice Note outlines the key elements for establishing a claim in negligence. For specific guidance on negligence in the context of company/parent company liability, banks and in professional negligence cases, see:•Practice Note: Tortious

Unfair prejudice—Court of Appeal consideration of application to strike out parts of a petition (Zedra

Dispute Resolution analysis: A petitioner claiming unfair prejudice is entitled to rely on breaches by the directors of their fiduciary and statutory duties to the company as conduct of the affairs of the company which was unfairly prejudicial to the petitioner. In this case, Zedra (the petitioner)

Rescission of a contract

Rescission of a contractThis Practice Note considers the remedy of rescission, summarising when and how a contract may be rescinded (at common law, equity and under statute) and thereby brought to an end. It includes the effect of rescission, the main grounds for rescinding a contract

The doctrine of res judicata

The doctrine of res judicataWhat is a res judicata?A res judicata is a decision given by a judge or tribunal with jurisdiction over the cause of action and the parties, which disposes, with finality, of a matter decided so that it cannot be re-litigated by those bound by the judgment, except on
Negligence—key elements to establish a negligence claim

Negligence—key elements to establish a negligence claim

Negligence—key elements to establish a negligence claimThis Practice Note outlines the key elements for establishing a claim in negligence. For specific guidance on negligence in the context of company/parent company liability, banks and in professional negligence cases, see:•Practice Note: Tortious