Financial distress is a reality faced by many businesses, particularly in an uncertain economic climate. When cash flow tightens and financial pressure mounts, business owners often consider cancelling existing contracts to reduce exposure and manage risk. 

However, under South African law, financial difficulty alone does not entitle a business to cancel a contract. Unlawful or premature cancellation can expose a business and, in some cases, its directors to significant legal and financial consequences. 

This article considers when cancellation may be permissible, and what businesses should carefully assess before taking such a step. 

Financial Distress Is Not, on Its Own, a Ground for Cancellation 

A fundamental principle of South African contract law is that agreements freely concluded must be honoured. A party is not entitled to withdraw from a contract merely because performance has become difficult, expensive, or commercially undesirable. 

If a business purports to cancel a contract solely because it is experiencing financial strain, this generally constitutes a breach of contract. The consequences may include: 

• Claims for contractual damages 
• Enforcement proceedings 
• Acceleration of outstanding obligations 
• Adverse cost orders 
• Default judgment where proceedings are not properly defended 

Accordingly, financial distress must be distinguished from a lawful ground for cancellation. 

The Contract Remains the Primary Point of Reference 

The first and most important step is to review the express terms of the contract. 

Many commercial agreements include cancellation clauses that permit termination: 

• Upon material breach by the other party 
• After written notice and a failure to remedy 
• In specifically defined circumstances 

Where such clauses exist, they must be complied with strictly and precisely. Failure to follow the prescribed procedure, particularly notice and time-period requirements, may render the cancellation invalid and expose the cancelling party to liability. 

Businesses should therefore assess: 

• Whether a contractual right of cancellation exists 
• Whether the triggering event has in fact occurred 
• Whether all procedural requirements have been met 

Force Majeure: A Limited and Often Misapplied Remedy 

Force majeure clauses are frequently misunderstood and misused during periods of financial pressure. 

Generally, force majeure applies when performance becomes objectively impossible due to events beyond the parties' control, such as natural disasters, war, or certain acts of government. Financial hardship, loss of income, or reduced profitability will not ordinarily qualify. 

Unless the clause expressly includes economic or financial events, a business cannot rely on force majeure merely because it is no longer able to perform profitably. 

Business Rescue and the Treatment of Contracts 

Where a business is genuinely financially distressed, business rescue proceedings under the Companies Act may be a more appropriate mechanism than unilateral cancellation. 

Once business rescue proceedings commence: 

• Certain legal actions against the company are stayed. 
• The business rescue practitioner may suspend or renegotiate certain contractual obligations. 
• Contracts are not automatically cancelled, but their enforcement may be affected. 

Business rescue can offer temporary relief while allowing the business to restructure in a controlled and legally compliant manner. However, it requires careful consideration and professional guidance. 

The Risks of Unlawful Cancellation 

Cancelling a contract without a lawful basis can significantly worsen a business’s position. Potential consequences include: 

• Claims for damages for repudiation 
• Immediate enforcement of outstanding amounts 
• Reputational harm and strained commercial relationships 
• Potential personal exposure for directors in certain circumstances 

In many cases, an unlawful cancellation creates greater financial risk than continued performance or structured renegotiation. 

A Practical and Commercial Approach 

Before cancelling any commercial contract, a business should: 

• Conduct a thorough review of the contractual terms. 
• Establish whether a lawful right of cancellation exists. 
• Consider alternative solutions, such as renegotiation or restructuring. 
• Obtain legal advice before taking any irreversible step. 

Early legal intervention often enables commercially sensible outcomes, including negotiated exits or amended obligations, while minimising the risk of litigation. 

Conclusion 

While financial distress places significant pressure on businesses, cancelling a contract is not a step that can be taken lightly. South African law prioritises contractual certainty, and unlawful cancellation can result in serious and lasting consequences. 

Businesses facing financial difficulty should seek professional advice at an early stage to ensure that any decision taken is legally sound, commercially appropriate, and aligned with long-term risk management. 

Written by Anastacia Willemse, Candidate Attorney: Commercial Law, SchoemanLaw Inc