Resiliation

Resiliation, often written as résiliation in French, is a legal term referring to the termination or cancellation of a contract, agreement, or service before its scheduled end. It can occur by mutual agreement or by unilateral action in accordance with contract terms, statutory rights, or judicial decision. The exact meaning and consequences vary by jurisdiction and by the specific contract.

Common forms include unilateral resiliation with notice, termination for cause (breach or material default), and termination for convenience where permitted, as well as termination by expiration or completion of the contract. In some contexts, resiliation is used alongside or as a synonym for termination, while in others it highlights the act of ending a contract under particular conditions.

The process typically involves a written notice or declaration within a specified period, identifying the effective date of termination. After resiliation, parties are generally released from future obligations, though unsettled payments, return of property, data handling, and potential refunds or damages may follow. Contracts may include provisions for liquidated damages, penalties, or remedies for breach, and some obligations may survive termination.

Context and terminology vary by legal system. In civil-law jurisdictions, résiliation is a standard term for ending a contract; in common-law jurisdictions, termination is more common, with resiliation appearing in specific fields such as telecom, insurance, or leases. Consumer protections may provide rights of withdrawal or cooling-off periods that allow early cancellation under applicable statutes.