MLchartDataset catalogue

Pre-existing duty doctrine

Term · Law · MLC-T-LAW-003841

A principle in contract law stating that a promise to perform a duty already owed under an existing contract does not constitute valid consideration for a new contract or modification. This doctrine prevents parties from demanding additional compensation for fulfilling obligations they are already bound to perform. It is often invoked in cases where one party attempts to renegotiate terms without offering new value.

Table 1. Record
IdentifierMLC-T-LAW-003841
FieldLaw
Record as JSON
{
  "id": "MLC-T-LAW-003841",
  "term": "Pre-existing duty doctrine",
  "field": "Law",
  "definition": "A principle in contract law stating that a promise to perform a duty already owed under an existing contract does not constitute valid consideration for a new contract or modification. This doctrine prevents parties from demanding additional compensation for fulfilling obligations they are already bound to perform. It is often invoked in cases where one party attempts to renegotiate terms without offering new value.",
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/law/pre-existing-duty-doctrine/"
}

Record 3,869 of 5,441 in Law terminology (MLC-0107). Request the full dataset.