What is conditio sine quae non?

Conditio sine qua non is a Latin term that translates to "condition without which not." It is a legal term that describes a necessary condition that must be present for a contract or agreement to be valid. If the condition is not met, the entire agreement may be considered null and void.

In essence, a condition without which not is a term or requirement within a contract that is considered to be vital to the agreement's effectiveness. This type of condition is often used in situations where one party must perform a specific action before the other party is required to fulfill their part of the agreement.

For example, in a real estate contract, the buyer may require that the property be inspected before the sale is finalized. If the seller fails to allow for an inspection, the buyer can argue that the sale is not valid due to the condition sine qua non not being fulfilled.

Overall, the condition sine qua non is an essential aspect of many legal agreements and can greatly impact the effectiveness and enforceability of a contract.