ICA Section 55: Effect of failure to perform at fixed time, in contract in which time is essential
Indian Contract Act, 1872 · Chapter 4: Performance of Contracts
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55. Effect of failure to perform at fixed time, in contract in which time is essential . When a party to a contract promises to do a certain thing at or before a specified time or certain things at or before specified times, and fails to do any such thing at or before the specified time, the contract, or so much of it as has not been performed, becomes voidable at the option of the promisee, if the intention of the parties was that time should be of the essence of the contract.
Effect of such failure when time is not essential - If it was not the intention of the parties that time should be of the essence of the contract, the contract does not become voidable by the failure to do such thing at or before the specified time ; but the promisee is entitled to compensation from the promisor for any loss occasioned to him by such failure.
Effect of acceptance of performance at time other than that agreed upon. If, in case of a contract voidable on account of the promisor's failure to perform his promise at the time greed the promisee accepts performance of such promise at any time other than that agreed, the promisee cannot claim compensation for any loss occasioned by the non-performance of the promise at the time agreed, unless, at the time of such acceptance he gives notice to the promisor of his intention to do so.
Official reference: India Code, Legislative Department — checked: 29 September 2026.
This text is for reference, not legal advice. Consult the official source for the authoritative text.
Other sections in this chapter
- 37. Obligation of parties to contracts
- 38. Effect of refusal to accept offer of performance
- 39. Effect of refusal of party to perform promise wholly
- 40. Person by whom promise is to be performed
- 41. Effect of accepting performance from third person
- 42. Devolution of joint liabilities
- 43. Any one of joint promisors may be compelled to perform
- 44. Effect of release of one joint promisor
- 45. Devolution of joint rights
- 46. Time for performance of promise, when no application is to be made and no time is specified
- 47. Time and place for performance of promise, where time is specified and no application to be made
- 48. Application for performance on certain day to be at proper time and place
- 49. Place for performance of promise, where no application to be made and no place fixed for performance
- 50. Performance in manner or at time prescribed or sanctioned by promisee
- 51. Promisor not bound to perform, unless reciprocal promisee ready and willing to perform
- 52. Order of performance of reciprocal promises
- 53. Liability of party preventing event on which the contract is to take effect
- 54. Effect of default as to that promise which should be first performed, in contract consisting of reciprocal promises
- 56. Agreement to do impossible act. An agreement to do an act impossible in itself is void. Contract to do act afterwards becoming impossible or unlawful
- 57. Reciprocal promise to do things legal and also other things illegal
- 58. Alternative promise, one branch being illegal
- 59. Application of payment where debt to be discharged is indicated
- 60. Application of payment where debt to be discharged is not indicated
- 61. Application of payment where neither party appropriates
- 62. Effect of novation, rescission, and alteration of contract
- 63. Promisee may dispense with or remit performance of promise
- 64. Consequences of rescission of voidable contract
- 65. Obligation of person who has received advantage under void agreement, or contract that becomes void
- 66. Mode of communicating or revoking rescission of voidable contract
- 67. Effect of neglect of promisee to afford promisor reasonable facilities for performance