The COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact businesses throughout the U.S. and around the world. Many complex issues and liabilities remain, even with new guidance and regulations being issued daily.
For most agencies and integrated marketing communication firms, one issue likely to arise is whether businesses must fulfill contractual obligations to clients, vendors and other partners in light of the pandemic or whether a party to a contract can be relieved of performing (or paying) under the contract due the pandemic. Among the many types of contracts impacted are agency client agreements, real estate leases and event and production contracts that were planned, with contracts signed, prior to the pandemic.
Agencies must rely on the particular terms of specific contracts in assessing their rights and remedies. However, certain key legal principles are applicable and should be considered.
Ability to Perform
Given the many restrictions already in place, businesses first need to determine whether they are even able to perform their contract obligations. For example, events and gatherings are currently prohibited and access to public accommodations is restricted in many states. Many contracts related to such activities clearly cannot be performed in the present climate. Agencies should keep this consideration in mind, whether the contractual obligation is their own or their counterpart’s.
Agencies are already adapting and continuing to provide services, especially when performance may be done remotely. In some instances, the parties may be able to perform, but in a manner different from what they originally contemplated. Where performance is possible, it will likely not be excused by the crisis, whereas when a contract truly cannot be performed, a party may be excused due to one of the legal doctrines discussed below. Businesses should consider creative alternative means of performance, thereby minimizing disruption and disputes, which courts may ultimately view unfavorable given the circumstances.
Justifications Excusing Performance
Even in these unprecedented circumstances, the starting place for any analysis of a party’s obligations is within the contract’s four corners. While specific language could alter application of the below doctrines, parties should consider:
Force Majeure
• Many contracts contain a force majeure provision. These are intended to address circumstances beyond the parties’ control that impede or prevent performance of contractual obligations. Force majeure provisions generally allow parties to delay performance or have it excused altogether.
• Many force majeure provisions list types of unforeseen circumstances that will constitute a covered event. A pandemic is sometimes included; if not, there are often other events listed of the same type (e.g. “Acts of God”), such that courts might consider a pandemic covered, especially in light of government mandates that limit all non-essential personnel activities.
• Generally, courts strictly construe force majeure provisions, so if a contract has express exceptions (stating that certain obligations are not relieved), even in this extraordinary situation, a court will likely apply the force majeure provision as written.
• Mere impracticality or difficulty is typically not enough to excuse performance, nor are economic hardship or changed market conditions generally considered a force majeure event.
• If the parties did not include a force majeure provision in a contract, courts will not read one in.
Frustration of Purpose
• Similar to force majeure, frustration of purpose may excuse a party from performing.
• Frustration of purpose may apply if there is a mutually understood “basis” for the contract, the basis has been completely frustrated and the transaction makes little sense without it.
• Only rarely do courts find a contract’s purpose frustrated and typically not based on economic hardship or changed market conditions, so there will likely need to be some aspect of the COVID-19 crisis that has impacted the contract’s basis.
· For example, if parties had contracted to hold an event coinciding with the 2020 NCAA Final Four, because the tournament was cancelled — as opposed to merely postponed — the contract’s basis would be frustrated and a court may relieve the parties of their obligations.
· Travel restrictions or travel advisories may also give rise to a basis to excuse performance (and payment) under a contract. For example, there may be a basis to excuse further performance and payment under contract relating to a planned event with a venue or hotel if the event necessarily required or anticipated that many attendees would travel by plane domestically or internationally. This may also provide a basis for the return of a deposit already paid.
Important Takeaways
In this time of crisis, agencies should consider the following when assessing contract obligations and how to proceed:
• First, determine whether performance is possible in light of government restrictions and best practices, focusing on the health and safety of all parties.
• If performance is possible — even if made more difficult or costly by the COVID-19 crisis — parties will likely be obligated to perform, though they should consider reasonable accommodations during this difficult time.
• If performance is not possible or the crisis has defeated the entire purpose of the contract, the doctrines of force majeure and frustration of purpose may excuse performance.
• Access to both state and federal courts has been restricted in many jurisdictions. Litigants are being urged to avoid burdening the courts with non-urgent matters. If parties are unable to resolve disputes without judicial intervention, they may not receive prompt relief that courts might provide under ordinary circumstances. Parties might also consider alternative dispute resolution, such as a mediation through one of the recognized mediation services such as JAMS.
• Attempting to negotiate issues relating to contract performance will likely save company resources in the long-term, and can help maintain important business relationships that will be critical after the crisis. In some instances, a contract partner’s continued operation may depend on accommodation from its partners.
– Michael Lasky, Founder and Chair of the Public Relations Law Practice Group & Ina Scher, Partner in the Litigation Practice Group, Davis & Gilbert LLP