Central · Act 9 of 1872

Section 39 — Effect of refusal of party to perform promise wholly.

The Indian Contract Act, 1872

Read in your languageअपनी भाषा में पढ़ें · Official source versions

Mapped language choices keep this section. Other choices are labelled ‘Complete act’ until section mappings are verified.

Only available official source versions are shown. Language labels come from source metadata or filenames.

STATUTORY TEXT
Find in this text
When a party to a contract has refused to perform, or disabled himself from performing, his promise in its entirety, the promisee may put an end to the contract, unless he has signified, by words or conduct, his acquiescence in its continuance.

Illustrations

(a) A, a singer, enters into a contract with B, the manager of a theatre, to sing at his theatre two nights in every week during the next two months, and B engages to pay her 100 rupees for each night's performance. On the sixth night A wilfully absents herself from the theatre. B is at liberty to put an end to the contract.

(b) A, a singer, enters into a contract with B, the manager of a theatre, to sing at his theatre two night' in every week during the next two months, and B engages to pay her at the rate of 100 rupees for each night. On the sixth night, A wilfully absents herself. With the assent of B, A sings on the seventh night. B has signified his acquiescence in the continuance of the contract, and cannot now put an end to it, but is entitled to compensation for the damage sustained by him through A's failure to sing on the sixth night.

आगे पढ़ें / Continue reading

Explore the next section or browse this act in the selected language.

Next · Section 40Person by whom promise is to be performed. →All sections / सभी धाराएँThe Indian Contract Act, 1872 →
More sections of this actSection 1 · Short title.Section 2 · Interpretation-clause.Section 3 · Communication, acceptance and revocation of proposals.Section 4 · Communication when complete.Section 5 · Revocation of proposals and acceptances.Section 6 · Revocation how made.Section 7 · Acceptance must be absolute.Section 8 · Acceptance by performing conditions, or receiving consideration.
Source and version

India Code, Government of India. Text fetched 09 Oct 2026. Check the linked official text and subsequent notifications when applying a provision.

Share this section

Section 39 — Effect of refusal of party to perform promise wholly. | The Indian Contract Act, 1872 | NYAYA SIGNAL

Share the card with this clickable reading link. पढ़ें और अगली धारा देखें।

NYAYA SIGNAL · Free access · Official source references

· Saves and reading positions stay on this device.