außervertraglich

Außervertraglich describes obligations, claims, or relationships that do not originate from a contract between the parties. In German private law it is used to differentiate between duties arising from contractual obligations (vertragliche Schuldverhältnisse) and those arising outside a contract (außervertragliche Schuldverhältnisse). The term covers sources such as statutory duties, torts (Delikte) and quasi-delicts, or liability arising from non-contractual acts, as well as other non-contractual liability regimes.

In practice, an außervertraglich verursachter Schaden can lead to liability independent of any agreement between the involved parties. Common examples include damages caused by negligent or intentional acts, product liability, or liability arising from statutory provisions. By contrast, vertragliche liability depends on the terms and breach of a contract. The distinction affects the applicable rules for damages, defenses, and proof requirements.

The adjective is frequently used with nouns like außervertragliche Haftung, außervertragliche Ansprüche, or außervertragliche Schuldverhältnisse. It is often discussed in relation to delict or tort law (Deliktsrecht) and the contrast with contract-based liability (Vertragshaftung). In German legal doctrine and practice, the concept helps to categorize the sources of obligations and to determine the appropriate remedies and procedural avenues.

Etymology: it combines außer- (outside) with vertraglich (contractual), signaling obligations that lie beyond the contractual framework. An English equivalent is extracontractual.