AOL News is joining forces with The Huffington Post to bring you the best original reporting, insight and opinion on the web. Join HuffPost Social News using your AOL account!

force majeure News

force majeure News From AOL News

Force Majeure: Libya Oil Exports Move Explained

By Mary Phillips-SandyFeb 22nd 2011 – 2:50PM

It's in the contract. Global commodities traders are reporting disruptions of crude oil import and export activity in Libya, Reuters reports. According to the traders, Libya has declared force majeure on shipments in some ports, effectively halting some normal market activity. Force majeure (literally, superior force) is...

Background on force majeure

Force majeure (French, ) or vis major (Latin) "superior force", also known as cas fortuit (French) or casus fortuitus (Latin) "chance occurrence, unavoidable accident", is a common clause in contracts that essentially frees both parties from liability or obligation when an extraordinary event or circumstance beyond the control of the parties, such as a war, strike, riot, crime, or an event described by the legal term act of God (such as hurricane, flooding, earthquake, volcanic eruption, etc.), prevents one or both parties from fulfilling their obligations under the contract.

more at wikipedia ยป