What are the modes of discharge of guarantee?

Asked by: Mr. Maximo Raynor MD  |  Last update: March 29, 2026
Score: 4.4/5 (59 votes)

A guarantee can be discharged (ended) through performance, agreement, or by the creditor's actions (or inactions) that prejudice the guarantor, such as varying the original contract without consent, releasing the principal debtor, extending time, or losing security; the guarantor's death or revocation (for continuing guarantees) also discharges future liability, while fraud or misrepresentation in obtaining the guarantee invalidates it.

What are different modes of discharge of contracts?

Broadly the contract may be discharged either by the act of the parties or by operation of the law. The parties of a contract may be released from the obligations either by fulfilling or discharging them or the law may exempt them from their obligations in the contract.

What are the various modes of discharge of surety?

The situation under which the surety can be discharged from his liability can be categorised into three different heads i.e. by revocation, the conduct of the parties and invalidation of the contract.

How can a guarantor be discharged?

The guarantor's obligations are discharged only upon the fulfilment of the underlying obligation or as otherwise agreed by the parties. In contrast, continuing guarantees may be revoked prospectively by the guarantor, provided there is no express term in the agreement prohibiting such revocation.

What are the 5 ways to discharge a contract?

Broadly, there are five recognized ways to discharge a contract: by performance, by agreement, by frustration, by operation of law, and by breach. Understanding these pathways is crucial for anyone entering into a contract, as it provides clarity on how and when contractual duties can be terminated.

Discharge of Surety | Law of Guarantee | Indian Contract Act

21 related questions found

What are the 4 ways to discharge a contract?

The note examines the primary ways a contract's obligations can end: by performance, breach, agreement or frustration.

What are 6 things that void a contract?

We'll cover these terms in more detail later.

  • Understanding Void Contracts. ...
  • Uncertainty or Ambiguity. ...
  • Lack of Legal Capacity. ...
  • Incomplete Terms. ...
  • Misrepresentation or Fraud. ...
  • Common Mistake. ...
  • Duress or Undue Influence. ...
  • Public Policy or Illegal Activity.

How to end a guarantor agreement?

Ending the guarantee

The agreement can always be ended if both sides wish, or if the option to do this has been set out in the tenancy guarantee agreement. As such, the Guarantor's liability will end depending on what the guarantee agreement states and so should be checked carefully by all parties.

How to revoke a guarantee?

By giving notice of revocation for future transactions (section 130). In case of death of surety, the guarantee is revoked for all the long run transactions (section 131). When there's an amendment in terms and condition of the contract between the human and principal mortal while not getting the consent of surety.

Can a guarantor terminate a guarantee?

Alistair continues: “The guarantor cannot terminate the guarantee unless they are in a position to repay the whole outstanding loan amount that the guarantee is set against. Additionally, in some cases, banks will not want the guarantee cancelled unless they have equal, or greater security from elsewhere.

What are two common ways a contract can be discharged?

Here are some of the common ways you can end a contract.

  • Both parties complete their obligations. ...
  • You agree to end the contract early. ...
  • Something unexpected happens. ...
  • One party ends the contract for their convenience. ...
  • End a contract because of a breach.

How a surety might be discharged from a contract of guarantee?

The surety is discharged by any contract between the creditor and the principal debtor, by which the principal debtor is released, or by any act or omission of the creditor, the legal consequence of which is the discharge of the principal debtor. (a) A gives a guarantee to C for goods to be supplied by C to B.

What is Section 47 of the Indian Contract Act?

47. Time and place for performance of promise, where time is specified and no application to be made. 48. Application for performance on certain day to be at proper time and place.

What are the different modes of discharge of surety?

Revocation: The surety can cancel or revoke their commitment, usually before the debt is due or if the contract allows it. Conduct of Parties: If the creditor or debtor does something that changes the agreement (like altering terms without the surety's consent) then, the surety may be released.

What are the different modes of termination of contract?

There are various types of contract termination, such as termination for convenience, impossibility of performance, and termination for default. A breach of contract isn't always required to justify termination. The specific terms of your contract will dictate the correct process.

What are the conditions in which a contract may be discharged?

There are four main ways to discharge a contract: performance, breach, agreement, or frustration — and each has different legal consequences. Performance is the most common (and safest) outcome: a contract is usually discharged once all parties have fully or substantially met their obligations.

What are the modes of revocation of guarantee?

A continuing guarantee can be revoked in several ways: 1) By notice from the surety to the creditor regarding future transactions; 2) By the death of the surety, though the surety remains liable for transactions made before death; 3) By novation, where a new contract replaces the old one; 4) By any variance in the ...

What are the three types of revocation?

Types of Revocation

Intentional revocation. Revocation by operation of law. Mutual cancellation by both parties. Revoking an offer before it is accepted.

How can a guarantee be revoked?

A continuing guaranty can be revoked as to future indebtedness of the borrower but it requires actual written notice of revocation received by the bank. Additionally, revocation of the guaranty typically creates an event of default on the existing debt.

Under what circumstances a guarantor may be discharged?

If the terms of the underlying loan or credit agreement are substantially changed without the guarantor's knowledge or approval, the guarantee may be discharged. For example, increasing the credit limit, extending repayment terms, and/or substituting the collateral.

How long is a guarantor liable?

If this is the case, the guarantor's liability might continue for as long as the tenancy exists and will only end if the tenancy is legally ended by: service of a valid notice to quit by the tenant, or. by mutual surrender of the tenancy between the landlord and tenant, or. a possession order from the court.

What are the 7 permitted grounds to end a tenancy?

The 7 permitted grounds to end a tenancy often fall under "at-fault" (tenant behavior) and "no-fault" (landlord's legitimate reasons like personal use or sale) categories, commonly including nonpayment of rent, lease violations, property damage, nuisance/crime, landlord/family needing the property, landlord's plans to sell/renovate, or sale to an eligible entity, varying slightly by jurisdiction but generally balancing tenant security with landlord necessities, as highlighted in UK's Renters' Rights Bill context. 

What are four types of mistakes that can invalidate a contract?

Four types of mistakes that can invalidate a contract, making it void or voidable, include Mutual Mistake (both parties share the same fundamental error), Unilateral Mistake (one party is mistaken, and the other knows or should know), Common Mistake (a shared error about the existence or quality of the subject matter, often rendering the contract void), and mistakes involving Misrepresentation or Fraud, where one party is misled by false statements about essential facts, though technically not just a "mistake" but a vitiating factor often grouped with them. 

What mistake is likely to be voidable?

A voidable contract is legally valid but can be canceled by one party due to specific legal defects. Common reasons include misrepresentation, fraud, duress, undue influence, mental incompetence, or mutual mistake.

What are the 4 breaches of contract?

The four main types of breach of contract are minor (or partial), material, anticipatory, and fundamental breaches, differing in severity and impact, with minor breaches involving small deviations, material breaches undermining the contract's core, anticipatory breaches occurring before performance, and fundamental breaches being severe violations allowing contract termination and significant damages.