Force majeure has no standard meaning in English law. Ideally, contracts containing force majeure provisions should define what that term means.In other words, the force majeure event must be the cause of the party's inability to perform. An overview to assist when considering seeking to invalidate contracts or delay performance under the common law based on COVID19. A force majeure clause is a contract provision that may excuse one party's failure to perform in the event of certain circumstances. In circumstances, such as that demonstrated above, the court will ordinarily determine whether the force majeure provision is ambiguous as a matter of law.