139Discharge of surety of creditor's act or omission impairing surety's eventual remedy
If the creditor does any act which is inconsistent with the rights of the surety, or omits to do any act which his duty to the surety requires him to do, and the eventual remedy of the surety himself against the principal debtor is thereby impaired, the surety is discharged.
Illustrations
(a) B contracts to build a ship for C for a given sum, to be paid by instalments as the work reaches certain stages. A becomes surety to C for B's due performance of the contract. C, without the knowledge of A, prepays to B the last two instalments. A is discharged by this prepayment.
(b) C lends money to B on the security of a joint and several promissory note made in C's favour by B, and by A as surety for B, together with a bill of sale of B's furniture, which gives power to C to sell the furniture, and apply the proceeds in discharge of the note. Subsequently, C sells the furniture, but, owing to his misconduct and wilful negligence, only a small price is realized. A is discharged from liability on the note.
(c) A puts M as apprentice to B, and gives a guarantee to B for M's fidelity. B promises on his part that he will, at least once a month, see M make up the cash. B omits to see this done as promised, and M embezzles. A is not liable to B on his guarantee.
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- 124 "Contract of indemnity" define
- 125 Rights of indemnity-holder when sued
- 126 "Contract of guarantee", "surety", "principal debtor" and "creditor"
- 127 Consideration for guarantee
- 128 Surety's liability
- 129 "Continuing guarantee"
- 130 Revocation of continuing guarantee
- 131 Revocation of continuing guarantee by surety's death
- 132 Liability of two persons, primarily liable, not affected by arrangement between them that one shall be surety on others default
- 133 Discharge of surety by variance in terms of contract
- 134 Discharge of surety by release or discharge of principal debtor
- 135 Discharge of surety when creditor compounds with, gives time to, or agrees not to sue, principal debtor
- 136 Surety not discharged when agreement made with third person to give time to principal debtor
- 137 Creditor's forbearance to sue does not discharge surety
- 138 Release of one co-surety does not discharge others
- 139 Discharge of surety of creditor's act or omission impairing surety's eventual remedy
- 140 Rights of surety on payment or performance
- 141 Surety's right to benefit of creditor's securities
- 142 Guarantee obtained by misrepresentation invalid
- 143 Guarantee obtained by concealment invalid
- 144 Guarantee on contract that creditor shall not act on it until co-surety joins
- 145 Implied promise to indemnify surety
- 146 Co-sureties liable to contribute equally
- 147 Liability of co-sureties bound in different sums