Conditions precedent are critical provisions in commercial contracts that require specific events or actions to occur before contractual obligations become enforceable. These conditions serve as legal triggers, ensuring that duties arise only after certain criteria have been fulfilled. The primary purpose of such clauses is to reduce uncertainty, clearly define prerequisites to performance, and manage risk between contracting parties.
Until the specified conditions are met, neither party is obligated to perform, and failure to satisfy a condition typically suspends or extinguishes the affected obligations.
Washington courts have provided clear guidance on the nature and impact of conditions precedent. In Ross v. Harding, the court explained that conditions precedent are “facts and events, occurring subsequently to the making of a contract, which must occur before there is a right to immediate performance and thus before there can be a breach of contract duty.” 64 Wn.2d 231, 236, 391 P.2d 526 (1964). This underscores the point that the enforceability of a contract may hinge entirely on whether a condition precedent is fulfilled.
For example, if a condition precedent is not satisfied – such as failing to obtain a necessary permit – the related contractual duties do not arise. As reinforced in CHG Int’l, Inc. v. Robin Lee, Inc., “where a condition precedent is not performed within the time required, both parties’ contractual duties are discharged.” 35 Wn. App. 512, 515, 667 P.2d 1127 (1983).
Properly drafting and monitoring conditions precedent is essential to ensure that contracts reflect the parties’ intent and allocate risk appropriately. Ambiguities in how these provisions are drafted can lead to disputes over whether obligations have arisen or have been discharged. When drafted correctly, conditions precedent define when and how obligations become enforceable and set the legal obligations of all parties involved. Drafting clear, measurable condition, for example with specific timelines and consequences for nonperformance, can help mitigate legal disputes and align expectations.
