Section 43 - Any one of joint promisers may be compelled to perform : Indian Contract Act 1872

Can Any one of joint promisers may be compelled to perform? Section 43 of Indian Contract Act 1872

Section 43 of Indian Contract Act 1872 : "Any one of joint promisers may be compelled to perform"

43. When two or more persons make a joint promise, the promisee may, in the absence of express agreement to the contrary, compel any one or more of such joint promisers to perform the whole of the promise.

Each promiser may compel contribution.-Each of two or more joint promisers may compel every other joint promiser to contribute equally with himself to the performance of the promise, unless a contrary intention appears from the contract.

Sharing of loss by default in contribution.-If any one of two or more joint promisers makes default in such contribution, the remaining joint promisers must bear the loss arising from such default in equal shares.

Explanation: Nothing in this section shall prevent a surety from recovering from his principal, payments made by the surety on behalf of the principal, or entitle the principal to recover anything from the surety on account of payments made by the principal.

Illustrations
(a) A, B and C jointly promise to pay D 3,000 rupees. D may compel either A or B or C to pay him 3,000 rupees.

(b) A, B and C jointly promise to pay D the sum of 3,000 rupees. C is compelled to pay the whole. A is insolvent, but his assets are sufficient to pay one-half of his debts, C is entitled to receive 500 rupees from A's estate, and 1,250 rupees from B.

(c) A, B and C are under a joint promise to pay D 3,000 rupees. C is unable to pay anything, and A is compelled to pay the whole. A is entitled to receive 1,500 rupees from B.

(d) A, B and C are under a joint promise to pay D 3,000 rupees, A and B being only sureties for C. C fails to pay. A and B are compelled to pay the whole sum. They are entitled to recover it from C.