4/23/19
By: Bart Gary and Jake Carroll
Exculpatory clauses are terms in a contract that shift the risk of loss to the other party or a third-party, or attempt to limit one’s obligations under a contract. A typical exculpatory clause is a “limitation of liability” provision, which is commonly used in agreements for services—especially professional services, rendered by accountants, architect, engineers and consultants.
Attempts to limit one’s liability to agreed amounts are sometimes challenged in court on the ground that they violate “public policy,” but are nevertheless generally enforceable in Georgia, provided such clauses are “explicit, prominent, clear and unambiguous.”
While these requirements have been addressed in prior appellate decisions, in Warren Averett, LLC v. Landcastle Acquisition Corp.[1] the Georgia Court of Appeals discussed in detail the “prominence” requirement for limitation of liability clauses in a contract for accounting services. The Court observed that a number of factors are considered when evaluating the enforceability of an exculpatory clause or limitation of liability clause:
These factors should be used as a guide for parties when drafting and negotiating contracts with exculpatory clauses. For example, in construction contracts, the parties should pay close attention to the font and location of indemnity and no-damage-for-delay clauses. In commercial and professional services contracts, common exculpatory clauses that merit close scrutiny address indemnity, limitation of lability, waivers of certain types of damages, and insurance terms.
Finally, while the opinion is helpful as concerns what is not prominent, it does not offer a clear statement of what is prominent. For example, does the font need to be bold, capitalized, and italicized, or will one choice work? In light of the Warrant Averett decision, it would seem that the more factors met, the less risk the clause is found unenforceable.
If you have questions regarding this decision, or any other contract drafting questions, please contact Bart Gary at [email protected] and Jake Carroll at [email protected]. Mr. Gary and Mr. Carroll practice construction and commercial law as members of Freeman Mathis & Gary’s Construction Law, Commercial Litigation, and Tort and Catastrophic Loss practice groups as well as representing business and commercial entities in a wide range of disputes and corporate matters involving breach of contract, business torts, and products liability claims.
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