{"id":253,"date":"2021-10-25T04:03:49","date_gmt":"2021-10-25T04:03:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/crowdsourcelawyers.com\/judicial-council-california-civil-jury-instructions-caci\/?page_id=253"},"modified":"2022-05-02T18:18:45","modified_gmt":"2022-05-02T18:18:45","slug":"caci-303-breach-of-contract-essential-factual-elements","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/crowdsourcelawyers.com\/judicial-council-california-civil-jury-instructions-caci\/caci-303-breach-of-contract-essential-factual-elements\/","title":{"rendered":"CACI 303 Breach of Contract\u2014Essential Factual Elements"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-ku513zzn-05b0c0503ce66f16bf639709c1888e18\">\n#top .av-special-heading.av-ku513zzn-05b0c0503ce66f16bf639709c1888e18{\npadding-bottom:10px;\n}\nbody .av-special-heading.av-ku513zzn-05b0c0503ce66f16bf639709c1888e18 .av-special-heading-tag .heading-char{\nfont-size:25px;\n}\n.av-special-heading.av-ku513zzn-05b0c0503ce66f16bf639709c1888e18 .av-subheading{\nfont-size:15px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='av-special-heading av-ku513zzn-05b0c0503ce66f16bf639709c1888e18 av-special-heading-h1 blockquote modern-quote  avia-builder-el-0  el_before_av_hr  avia-builder-el-first '><h1 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >CACI 303 Breach of Contract\u2014Essential Factual Elements<\/h1><div class='av-subheading av-subheading_below'><p>California Civil Jury Instructions CACI<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"special-heading-border\"><div class=\"special-heading-inner-border\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<div  class='hr av-av_hr-91d7ccd583a503147498e120fee2ff9b hr-default  avia-builder-el-1  el_after_av_heading  el_before_avia_sc_search '><span class='hr-inner '><span class=\"hr-inner-style\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-avia_sc_search-f7f83518637509acfac1c9900b84c1e7\">\n#top .avia_search_element.av-avia_sc_search-f7f83518637509acfac1c9900b84c1e7 .av_searchform_wrapper{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\nborder-color:#edae44;\nbackground-color:#edae44;\n}\n#top .avia_search_element.av-avia_sc_search-f7f83518637509acfac1c9900b84c1e7 #s.av-input-field{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n#top .avia_search_element.av-avia_sc_search-f7f83518637509acfac1c9900b84c1e7 #searchsubmit{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n#top .avia_search_element.av-avia_sc_search-f7f83518637509acfac1c9900b84c1e7 .av_searchsubmit_wrapper{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n.ajax_search_response.av-avia_sc_search-f7f83518637509acfac1c9900b84c1e7{\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\nmargin:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='avia_search_element av-avia_sc_search-f7f83518637509acfac1c9900b84c1e7  avia-builder-el-2  el_after_av_hr  el_before_av_textblock '><search><form action='https:\/\/crowdsourcelawyers.com\/judicial-council-california-civil-jury-instructions-caci\/' id='searchform_element' method='get' class='' data-element_id='av-avia_sc_search-f7f83518637509acfac1c9900b84c1e7' ><div class='av_searchform_wrapper'><input type='search' value='' id='s' name='s' placeholder='Search CACI' aria-label='Search CACI' class='av-input-field ' required \/><div class='av_searchsubmit_wrapper '><input type='submit' value='Find' id='searchsubmit' class='button ' title='View results on search page' aria-label='View results on search page' \/><\/div><input type='hidden' name='numberposts' value='8' \/><input type='hidden' name='post_type' value='page' \/><input type='hidden' name='results_hide_fields' value='post_titles,meta,image' \/><\/div><\/form><\/search><\/div>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-av_textblock-e878f05c31dff72941bf1e49a00d9ff5 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/crowdsourcelawyers.com\/judicial-council-california-civil-jury-instructions-caci\/\">CACI Jury Instructions Index<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/caci-fillable-forms.crowdsourcelawyers.com\/\">App: CACI Jury Instructions Fillable Forms Word Format<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/section>\n<div  class='hr av-av_hr-91d7ccd583a503147498e120fee2ff9b hr-default  avia-builder-el-4  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_textblock '><span class='hr-inner '><span class=\"hr-inner-style\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-ku51612y-2fb2717440f470b31f140d36d1f3a195\">\n#top .av_textblock_section.av-ku51612y-2fb2717440f470b31f140d36d1f3a195 .avia_textblock{\nfont-size:20px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-ku51612y-2fb2717440f470b31f140d36d1f3a195 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><h2 class=\"SS_Banner\">303\u00a0Breach of Contract\u2014Essential Factual Elements<\/h2>\n<hr \/>\n<p><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">To recover damages from [<\/span><span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">name of defendant<\/span><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">] for breach of contract, [<\/span><span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">name of plaintiff<\/span><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">] must prove all of the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\"><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">1.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\"><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">That [<\/span><span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">name of plaintiff<\/span><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">] and [<\/span><span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">name of defendant<\/span><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">] entered into a contract;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\"><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">[2.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\"><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">That [<\/span><span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">name of plaintiff<\/span><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">] did all, or substantially all, of the significant things that the contract required [him\/her\/<\/span><span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">nonbinary pronoun<\/span><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">\/it] to do;]<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">[or]<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\"><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">[2.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\"><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">That [<\/span><span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">name of plaintiff<\/span><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">] was excused from having to [<\/span><span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">specify things that plaintiff did not do, e.g., obtain a guarantor on the contract<\/span><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">];]<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\"><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">[3.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\"><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">That [<\/span><span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">specify occurrence of all conditions required by the contract for [name of defendant]\u2019s performance, e.g., the property was rezoned for residential use<\/span><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">];]<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">[or]<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\"><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">[3.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\"><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">That [<\/span><span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">specify condition(s) that did not occur<\/span><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">] [was\/were] [waived\/excused];]<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\"><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">[4.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\"><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">That [<\/span><span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">name of defendant<\/span><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">] failed to do something that the contract required [him\/her\/<\/span><span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">nonbinary pronoun<\/span><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">\/it] to do;]<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">[<\/span><span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">or<\/span><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">]<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\"><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">[4.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\"><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">That [<\/span><span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">name of defendant<\/span><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">] did something that the contract prohibited [him\/her\/<\/span><span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">nonbinary pronoun<\/span><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">\/it] from doing;]<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\"><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">5.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\"><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">That [<\/span><span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">name of plaintiff<\/span><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">] was harmed; and<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\"><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">6.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\"><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">That [<\/span><span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">name of defendant<\/span><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">]\u2019s breach of contract was a substantial factor in causing [<\/span><span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">name of plaintiff<\/span><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">]\u2019s harm. <br class=\"avia-permanent-lb\" \/><br class=\"avia-permanent-lb\" \/><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<div class=\"SS_Note\">\n<h2 class=\"SS_HideShowSection SS_Expandable\"><\/h2>\n<div id=\"TRNotes_n_1\">\n<p><span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">New September 2003; Revised April 2004, June 2006, December 2010, June 2011, June 2013, June 2015, December 2016, May 2020 <br class=\"avia-permanent-lb\" \/><br class=\"avia-permanent-lb\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/crowdsourcelawyers.com\/\">Crowdsource Lawyers<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/crowdsourcelawyers.com\/judicial-council-california-civil-jury-instructions-caci\">https:\/\/crowdsourcelawyers.com\/judicial-council-california-civil-jury-instructions-caci<\/a><span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\"><br class=\"avia-permanent-lb\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"SS_Note\">\n<h2 class=\"SS_HideShowSection SS_Expandable\">Directions for Use<\/h2>\n<div id=\"TRNotes_n_2\">\n<p>Read this instruction in conjunction with\u00a0CACI No. 300,\u00a0<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Breach of Contract\u2014Introduction<\/span>.<\/p>\n<p>Optional elements 2 and 3 both involve conditions precedent. A \u201ccondition precedent\u201d is either an act of a party that must be performed or an uncertain event that must happen before the contractual right accrues or the contractual duty arises. (<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Stephens &amp; Stephens XII, LLC v. Fireman\u2019s Fund Ins. Co.<\/span>\u00a0(2014) 231 Cal.App.4th 1131, 1147 [180 Cal.Rptr.3d 683].) Element 2 involves the first kind of condition precedent; an act that must be performed by one party before the other is required to perform. Include the second option if the plaintiff alleges that the plaintiff was excused from having to perform some or all of the contractual conditions.<\/p>\n<p>Not every breach of contract by the plaintiff will relieve the defendant of the obligation to perform. The breach must be\u00a0<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">material;<\/span>\u00a0element 2 captures materiality by requiring that the plaintiff have done the significant things that the contract required. Also, the two obligations must be\u00a0<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">dependent<\/span>, meaning that the parties specifically bargained that the failure to perform the one relieves the obligation to perform the other. While materiality is generally a question of fact, whether covenants are dependent or independent is a matter of construing the agreement. (<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Brown v. Grimes<\/span>\u00a0(2011) 192 Cal.App.4th 265, 277\u2013279 [120 Cal.Rptr.3d 893].) If there is no extrinsic evidence in aid of construction, the question is one of law for the court. (<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Verdier v. Verdier<\/span>\u00a0(1955) 133 Cal.App.2d 325, 333 [284 P.2d 94].) Therefore, element 2 should not be given unless the court has determined that dependent obligations are involved. If parol evidence is required and a dispute of facts is presented, additional instructions on the disputed facts will be necessary. (See\u00a0<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">City of Hope National Medical Center v. Genentech, Inc.<\/span>\u00a0(2008) 43 Cal.4th 375, 395 [75 Cal.Rptr.3d 333, 181 P.3d 142].)<\/p>\n<p>Element 3 involves the second kind of condition precedent; an uncertain event that must happen before contractual duties are triggered. Include the second option if the plaintiff alleges that the defendant agreed to perform even though a condition did not occur. For reasons that the occurrence of a condition may have been excused, see the\u00a0Restatement Second of Contracts, section 225, Comment b. See also\u00a0CACI No. 321,\u00a0<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Existence of Condition Precedent Disputed<\/span>,\u00a0CACI No. 322,\u00a0<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Occurrence of Agreed Condition Precedent<\/span>, and\u00a0CACI No. 323,\u00a0<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Waiver of Condition Precedent<\/span>.<\/p>\n<p>Element 6 states the test for causation in a breach of contract action: whether the breach was a substantial factor in causing the damages. (<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">US Ecology, Inc. v. State of California<\/span>\u00a0(2005) 129 Cal.App.4th 887, 909 [28 Cal.Rptr.3d 894].) In the context of breach of contract, it has been said that the term \u201csubstantial factor\u201d has no precise definition, but is something that is more than a slight, trivial, negligible, or theoretical factor in producing a particular result. (<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Haley v. Casa Del Rey Homeowners Assn.<\/span>\u00a0(2007) 153 Cal.App.4th 863, 871\u2013872 [63 Cal.Rptr.3d 514]; see\u00a0CACI No. 430,\u00a0<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Causation\u2014Substantial Factor<\/span>, applicable to negligence actions.)<\/p>\n<p>Equitable remedies are also available for breach. \u201cAs a general proposition, \u2018[t]he jury trial is a matter of right in a civil action at law, but not in equity. [Citations.]\u2019\u2009\u201d (<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">C &amp; K Engineering Contractors v. Amber Steel Co., Inc.<\/span>\u00a0(1978) 23 Cal.3d 1, 8 [151 Cal.Rptr. 323, 587 P.2d 1136];\u00a0<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Selby Constructors v. McCarthy<\/span>\u00a0(1979) 91 Cal.App.3d 517, 524 [154 Cal.Rptr. 164].) However, juries may render advisory verdicts on these issues. (<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Raedeke v. Gibraltar Savings &amp; Loan Assn.<\/span>\u00a0(1974) 10 Cal.3d 665, 670\u2013671 [111 Cal.Rptr. 693, 517 P.2d 1157].) <br class=\"avia-permanent-lb\" \/><br class=\"avia-permanent-lb\" \/><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"SS_Note\">\n<h2 class=\"SS_HideShowSection SS_Expandable\">Sources and Authority<\/h2>\n<div id=\"TRNotes_n_3\">\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\">\u2022<\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\">Contract Defined.\u00a0Civil Code section 1549.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\">\u2022<\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\">\u201cA contract is a voluntary and lawful agreement, by competent parties, for a good consideration, to do or not to do a specified thing.\u201d (<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Robinson v. Magee<\/span>\u00a0(1858) 9 Cal. 81, 83.)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\">\u2022<\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\">\u201cTo prevail on a cause of action for breach of contract, the plaintiff must prove (1) the contract, (2) the plaintiff\u2019s performance of the contract or excuse for nonperformance, (3) the defendant\u2019s breach, and (4) the resulting damage to the plaintiff.\u201d (<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Richman v. Hartley<\/span>\u00a0(2014) 224 Cal.App.4th 1182, 1186 [169 Cal.Rptr.3d 475].)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\">\u2022<\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\">\u201cImplicit in the element of damage is that the defendant\u2019s breach\u00a0<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">caused<\/span>\u00a0the plaintiff\u2019s damage.\u201d (<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Troyk v. Farmers Group, Inc.<\/span>\u00a0(2009) 171 Cal.App.4th 1305, 1352 [90 Cal.Rptr.3d 589], original italics.)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\">\u2022<\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\">\u201cIt is elementary a plaintiff suing for breach of contract must prove it has performed all conditions on its part or that it was excused from performance. Similarly, where defendant\u2019s duty to perform under the contract is conditioned on the happening of some event, the plaintiff must prove the event transpired.\u201d (<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Consolidated World Investments, Inc., v. Lido Preferred Ltd.<\/span>\u00a0(1992) 9 Cal.App.4th 373, 380 [11 Cal.Rptr.2d 524], internal citation omitted.)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\">\u2022<\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\">\u201cWhen a party\u2019s failure to perform a contractual obligation constitutes a material breach of the contract, the other party may be discharged from its duty to perform under the contract. Normally the question of whether a breach of an obligation is a material breach, so as to excuse performance by the other party, is a question of fact. Whether a partial breach of a contract is material depends on \u2018the importance or seriousness thereof and the probability of the injured party getting substantial performance.\u2019 \u2018A material breach of one aspect of a contract generally constitutes a material breach of the whole contract.\u2019\u2009\u201d (<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Brown, supra<\/span>, 192 Cal.App.4th at pp. 277\u2013278, internal citations omitted.)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\">\u2022<\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\">\u201cThe obligations of the parties to a contract are either dependent or independent. The parties\u2019 obligations are dependent when the performance by one party is a condition precedent to the other party\u2019s performance. In that event, one party is excused from its obligation to perform if the other party fails to perform. If the parties\u2019 obligations are independent, the breach by one party does not excuse the other party\u2019s performance. Instead, the nonbreaching party still must perform and its remedy is to seek damages from the other party based on its breach of the contract.\u201d (<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Colaco v. Cavotec SA<\/span>\u00a0(2018) 25 Cal.App.5th 1172, 1182\u20131183 [236 Cal.Rptr.3d 542], internal citations omitted.)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\">\u2022<\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\">\u201cWhether specific contractual obligations are independent or dependent is a matter of contract interpretation based on the contract\u2019s plain language and the parties\u2019 intent. Dependent covenants or \u2018[c]onditions precedent are not favored in the law [citations], and courts shall not construe a term of the contract so as to establish a condition precedent absent plain and unambiguous contract language to that effect.\u2019\u2009\u201d (<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Colaco<\/span>,\u00a0<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">supra<\/span>, 25 Cal.App.5th at p. 1183, internal citations omitted.)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\">\u2022<\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\">\u201cThe wrongful, i.e., the unjustified or unexcused, failure to perform a contract is a\u00a0<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">breach<\/span>. Where the nonperformance is legally justified, or excused, there may be a failure of consideration, but not a breach.\u201d (1 Witkin, Summary of California Law (10th ed. 2005) Contracts, \u00a7\u2009847, original italics, internal citations omitted.) \u201cOrdinarily, a breach is the result of an intentional act, but\u00a0<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">negligent performance<\/span>\u00a0may also constitute a breach, giving rise to alternative contract and tort actions.\u201d (<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Ibid.<\/span>, original italics.)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\">\u2022<\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\">\u201c\u2009\u2018\u2009\u201cWhere a party\u2019s breach by non-performance contributes materially to the non-occurrence of a condition of one of his duties, the non-occurrence is excused.\u201d [Citation.]\u2019\u2009\u201d (<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Stephens &amp; Stephens XII, LLC, supra<\/span>, 231 Cal. App. 4th at p. 1144.)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\">\u2022<\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\">\u201c\u2009\u2018Causation of damages in contract cases, as in tort cases, requires that the damages be proximately caused by the defendant\u2019s breach, and that their causal occurrence be at least reasonably certain.\u2019 A proximate cause of loss or damage is something that is a substantial factor in bringing about that loss or damage.\u201d (<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">U.S. Ecology, Inc., supra<\/span>, 129 Cal.App.4th at p. 909, internal citations omitted.)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\">\u2022<\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\">\u201cAn essential element of [breach of contract] claims is that a defendant\u2019s alleged misconduct was the cause in fact of the plaintiff\u2019s damage. [\u00b6] The causation analysis involves two elements. \u2018\u2009\u201cOne is\u00a0<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">cause in fact<\/span>. An act is a cause in fact if it is a necessary antecedent of an event.\u201d [Citation.]\u2019 The second element is proximate cause. \u2018\u2009\u201c[P]roximate cause \u2018is ordinarily concerned, not with the fact of causation, but with the various considerations of policy that limit an actor\u2019s responsibility for the consequences of his conduct.\u2019\u2009\u201d\u2009\u2019\u2009\u201d (<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Tribeca Companies, LLC v. First American Title Ins. Co.<\/span>\u00a0(2015) 239 Cal.App.4th 1088, 1102\u20131103 [192 Cal.Rptr.3d 354], footnote and internal citation omitted.)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\">\u2022<\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\">\u201cDetermining whether a defendant\u2019s misconduct was the cause in fact of a plaintiff\u2019s injury involves essentially the same inquiry in both contract and tort cases.\u201d (<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Tribeca Companies, LLC, supra<\/span>, 239 Cal.App.4th at p. 1103.)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\">\u2022<\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\">\u201cb.\u00a0<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Excuse<\/span>. The non-occurrence of a condition of a duty is said to be \u2018excused\u2019 when the condition need no longer occur in order for performance of the duty to become due. The non-occurrence of a condition may be excused on a variety of grounds. It may be excused by a subsequent promise, even without consideration, to perform the duty in spite of the non-occurrence of the condition. See the treatment of \u2018waiver\u2019 in \u00a7\u200984, and the treatment of discharge in \u00a7\u00a7\u2009273\u201385. It may be excused by acceptance of performance in spite of the non-occurrence of the condition, or by rejection following its non-occurrence accompanied by an inadequate statement of reasons. See \u00a7\u00a7\u2009246\u201348. It may be excused by a repudiation of the conditional duty or by a manifestation of an inability to perform it. See \u00a7\u2009255; \u00a7\u00a7\u2009250\u201351. It may be excused by prevention or hindrance of its occurrence through a breach of the duty of good faith and fair dealing (\u00a7\u2009205). See \u00a7\u2009239. And it may be excused by impracticability. See \u00a7\u2009271. These and other grounds for excuse are dealt with in other chapters of this Restatement. This Chapter deals only with one general ground, excuse to avoid forfeiture. See \u00a7\u2009229.\u201d (Rest.2d of Contracts, \u00a7\u2009225, comment b.) <br class=\"avia-permanent-lb\" \/><br class=\"avia-permanent-lb\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"SS_Heading\"><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\"><span class=\"SS_ib\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_ib\">Secondary Sources<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n<div>1 Witkin, Summary of California Law (11th ed. 2017) Contracts, \u00a7\u2009872<\/div>\n<div>13\u00a0California Forms of Pleading and Practice, Ch. 140,\u00a0<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Contracts<\/span>, \u00a7\u2009140.50\u00a0(Matthew Bender)<\/div>\n<div>5\u00a0California Points and Authorities, Ch. 50,\u00a0<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Contracts<\/span>, \u00a7\u200950.10 et seq.\u00a0(Matthew Bender)<\/div>\n<div>2\u00a0Matthew Bender Practice Guide: California Contract Litigation, Ch. 22,\u00a0<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Suing or Defending Action for Breach of Contract<\/span>, 22.03\u201322.50<\/div>\n<div class=\"SS_Note\">\n<div id=\"TRNotes_n_3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n<div  class='hr av-td62d-8a693391c9cba6e6376763cd2687d515 hr-default  avia-builder-el-6  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_textblock '><span class='hr-inner '><span class=\"hr-inner-style\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-j5b0d-03ed9f80ec2eab96bd35b7069d307928\">\n#top .av_textblock_section.av-j5b0d-03ed9f80ec2eab96bd35b7069d307928 .avia_textblock{\nfont-size:22px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-j5b0d-03ed9f80ec2eab96bd35b7069d307928 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p><a href=\"https:\/\/crowdsourcelawyers.com\/\">CrowdSourceLawyers.com<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-253","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - 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