The word "majeure" (maː.ʒœʁ) is a French term commonly used in legal language to indicate a situation of major force or a superior force. The word is spelled in accordance with French orthography and pronunciation, including the use of the letter "j" for the French "j" sound (similar to the English "zh") and the silent final "e". This term is often paired with "force," forming the expression "force majeure," which is used to describe unexpected events or uncontrollable circumstances that can excuse parties from fulfilling their contractual obligations.
Majeure, derived from the French word "majeur" that means major or majorly, is an adjective usually used in a legal context to define an event or circumstance that is considered significant, major, or of considerable importance. With origins in civil law, this term describes a condition that has a substantial impact on the performance of a contractual agreement or on the party involved, resulting in excusing or absolving them from certain obligations, penalties, or liabilities.
In various legal frameworks, majeure is commonly referred to as "force majeure," which translates to "superior force" in English or "act of God" in some cases. It denotes an unpredictable or uncontrollable occurrence that hinders or prevents the fulfillment of contractual obligations due to external, extraordinary circumstances beyond the control of the parties involved.
Force majeure events can encompass natural disasters like earthquakes, hurricanes, or floods, as well as occurrences such as war, terrorism, strikes, government acts, or other unforeseeable and insurmountable incidents. When a force majeure event occurs, it relieves the affected party from the responsibility of fulfilling contractual commitments temporarily or permanently, depending on the specific provisions and applicable laws.
The concept of majeure or force majeure exists to protect parties from legal or financial consequences when faced with unforeseen or extraordinary circumstances that make it impracticable or impossible to meet their obligations. It serves as a legal safety mechanism to minimize the potential hardships that individuals or businesses may face when confronted with events beyond their control.
The word majeure is derived from the Old French word majeur which means greater or major. It ultimately traces back to the Latin word major with the same meaning. In the context of card games, majeure is used to refer to the higher-ranking cards or the suit with superior value, which is why it shares the same root as the word major.