A discharge of contract occurs when a contract is terminated or completed, and the parties are released from their obligations under the agreement. This can happen in a number of ways, and the specific circumstances will depend on the terms of the contract and the laws governing the agreement.
One common way for a contract to be discharged is through performance. If the parties to a contract fulfill their obligations under the agreement, the contract is considered to be discharged. For example, if a person hires a contractor to build a house and the contractor completes the work according to the terms of the contract, the contract is discharged.
Another way for a contract to be discharged is through breach of contract. If one party fails to fulfill their obligations under the contract, the other party may be able to terminate the agreement and seek damages. This could include situations where one party fails to pay, fails to perform their duties, or otherwise violates the terms of the contract.
A contract can also be discharged through mutual agreement, also known as mutual consent. If both parties to the contract agree to terminate the agreement, the contract is discharged. This could happen if the parties agree to modify the terms of the contract, or if they simply decide to end the agreement early.
A contract can also be discharged through frustration of purpose. This occurs when an unforeseen event makes it impossible for the parties to fulfill their obligations under the contract. For example, if a contract is signed to rent a venue for an event, but the venue is destroyed by a natural disaster before the event takes place, the contract may be discharged due to frustration of purpose.
Finally, a contract can be discharged through the passage of time. Some contracts have expiration dates, after which the contract is considered discharged. Other contracts may have no specific expiration date, but may be discharged after a certain period of time if they are not renewed.
In summary, a discharge of contract occurs when a contract is terminated or completed, and the parties are released from their obligations under the agreement. This can happen through performance, breach of contract, mutual agreement, frustration of purpose, or the passage of time.