Indian Contract Act, 1872

CHAPTER IV

OF THE PERFORMANCE OF CONTRACTS CONTRACTS WHICH MUST BE PERFORMED

Obligations of parties to contracts

37. The parties to a contract must either perform, or offer to perform, their respective promises, unless such performance is dispensed with or excused under the provisions of this Act, or of any other law.

Promises bind the representatives of the promisors in case of the death of such promisors before performance, unless a contrary intention appears from the contract.

Illustrations

(a)	-	A promises to deliver goods to B on a certain day on payment of Rs. 1,000. A dies before that day. A's representatives are bound to deliver the goods to B, and B is bound to pay Rs. 1,000 to A's representatives.
(b)	-	A promises to paint a picture for B by a certain day, at a certain price. A dies before the day. The contract cannot be enforced either by A's representatives or by B.