When a condition precedent is interfered with by one party, what is the effect on the condition?

• A. Wrongfully prevents or interferes with occurrence; the condition is excused.
• B. The other party must still perform.
• C. The contract is terminated.
• D. There is no effect on performance.

Answer: (A)

A condition precedent is an event that must happen before performance is due. If one party wrongfully blocks that event, the other party’s duty to perform is excused because the condition cannot occur as required. This is the core idea: performance is suspended or discharged when the condition is prevented by the other party. The contract isn’t automatically terminated just for the prevention, and the non-preventing party isn’t required to perform until the condition occurs. If the condition were allowed to occur, performance would follow; but interference means the condition is effectively prevented, so the obligation is excused.