Force majeure is a common clause in California agreements which frees both parties from liability or obligation when an extraordinary event or circumstance In very limited circumstances, a force majeure clause in a contract may allow a party to a contract to be excused from performing their obligations.Force majeure encompasses events that are typically unforeseen and out of the control of both parties involved in a contract or the landowner. Force majeure is a legal principle meaning neither party must be held to terms of the contract due to unforeseen circumstances. Cal. Civ. Code § 3526 (2021). Suppose an avalanche destroys a supplier's factory in the French Alps, causing long shipment delays and leading the client to sue for damages. And circumstances in the contract. Contractual force majeure provisions allocate risk of nonperformance due to events beyond the parties' control. The occurrence of a force majeure. You may have heard people throwing around the term "force majeure" as a reason for excusing performance or terminating a contract.