In contract law, which scenario reflects a breach of a condition?

In contract law, a breach of a condition refers to a failure to perform a fundamental aspect of the contract, which allows the aggrieved party to terminate the contract and seek damages. Offering a defective product falls squarely within the realm of a condition breach because the essence of the contract in a sale of goods context is that the goods must be of satisfactory quality and fit for purpose. If a product is defective, it fails to meet the fundamental requirement that the buyer has been led to expect, undermining the entire purpose of the agreement.

Contrastingly, while missing a deadline for delivery and providing late documentation may frustrate the contract’s execution, these typically imply a breach of a warranty rather than a condition. Such breaches may allow for claims of damages but do not automatically provide grounds for termination. Failing to provide a receipt upon payment is more administrative in nature and does not directly affect the performance of the contract's core obligations, making it less significant in terms of a breach of condition.