Legal Definitions - copulative condition

Definition: A copulative condition is a type of condition in which the performance of more than one act is required. It is a future and uncertain event on which the existence or extent of an obligation or liability depends. For example, if Jones promises to pay Smith $500 for repairing a car, Smith's failure to repair the car (an implied or constructive condition) relieves Jones of the promise to pay.

Example: A contract between a landlord and a tenant may include a copulative condition that requires the tenant to pay rent on time and keep the property in good condition. If the tenant fails to do either of these things, the landlord may be relieved of their obligation to provide the property for the tenant to live in.

Explanation: In this example, the copulative condition requires the tenant to perform two acts: paying rent on time and keeping the property in good condition. If the tenant fails to do either of these things, the landlord is no longer obligated to provide the property for the tenant to live in. This illustrates how a copulative condition can be used to define the terms of a contract and determine the obligations of each party involved.