stop clause: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low-frequency (Specialist)Formal, Legal, Commercial
Quick answer
What does “stop clause” mean?
A contractual provision that allows one party to terminate or suspend the agreement if a specific negative event occurs.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A contractual provision that allows one party to terminate or suspend the agreement if a specific negative event occurs.
A clause in a contract, often a lease or service agreement, that gives the right to terminate or suspend obligations, typically triggered by a breach, failure to meet financial obligations, or other specified adverse circumstances. Commonly found in commercial leases where a tenant can terminate if the landlord's building does not maintain a certain level of occupancy.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage and concept are identical in both legal traditions, as it is a specialist contractual term. Spelling of related words may differ (e.g., 'terminate' vs. 'terminate' no difference; 'lease' vs. 'lease'). The specific legal procedures for invoking it may vary by jurisdiction.
Connotations
Neutral legal/contractual term in both. Connotes foresight, risk management, and conditional agreements.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both varieties, confined to legal and commercial contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “stop clause” in a Sentence
The [lease/contract] includes a stop clause.The [tenant/party] invoked the stop clause due to [event].A stop clause was triggered by the [failure/breach].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “stop clause” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The tenant may stop the lease under clause 7.4.
- They sought to stop the contract's obligations.
American English
- The tenant can stop the lease pursuant to section 5(c).
- We will stop payments if the clause is triggered.
adverb
British English
- The contract was terminated stop-clause early. (Unnatural; adverb use is highly atypical for this noun phrase.)
American English
- (No standard adverbial use for this compound noun.)
adjective
British English
- The stop-clause provisions are in the annex.
- It was a stop-clause event.
American English
- The stop-clause rights were clearly defined.
- They reviewed the stop-clause trigger points.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Crucial in commercial lease negotiations; a risk-management tool for tenants.
Academic
Discussed in law and business studies papers on contract design and commercial property.
Everyday
Extremely rare; would only be used if discussing a specific commercial contract.
Technical
A precise legal term defining conditions, notices, and consequences of termination.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “stop clause”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “stop clause”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “stop clause”
- Using 'stop clause' to mean a 'full stop' in punctuation. (Wrong context)
- Confusing it with a 'non-compete clause' or 'confidentiality clause'. (Different function)
- Misspelling as 'stock clause'.
- Using it in everyday contexts where 'cancellation policy' would be appropriate.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are very similar and often used interchangeably, especially in UK property law. However, a 'break clause' often allows termination at a fixed point, while a 'stop clause' might be triggered by a specific ongoing condition (like low occupancy).
Typically the party that has the right to invoke it, often the tenant in a lease or the client in a service contract. It provides them with a safeguard against poor performance or adverse conditions.
It is highly unusual. Employment contracts use specific termination clauses (e.g., for cause, notice periods). The term 'stop clause' is reserved primarily for commercial property and certain B2B agreements.
The contract typically specifies the consequences, which may include immediate termination, a suspension of obligations (like rent payments), or the start of a notice period. The specific process must be followed as written in the clause.
A contractual provision that allows one party to terminate or suspend the agreement if a specific negative event occurs.
Stop clause is usually formal, legal, commercial in register.
Stop clause: in British English it is pronounced /ˈstɒp ˌklɔːz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈstɑːp ˌklɔːz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A get-out-of-jail-free card (informal, conceptual analogy)”
- “A ripcord (metaphorical)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a BUS STOP sign on a clause in a contract. The bus (the agreement) STOPS here if a certain condition is met.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONTRACT IS A JOURNEY; A STOP CLAUSE IS AN EMERGENCY EXIT / A DESIGNATED STOPPING POINT.
Practice
Quiz
In which context are you MOST likely to encounter a 'stop clause'?