Also known as:à bon droit · rightfully · with just cause
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
An adverb indicating that an action or assertion occurs with good reason or just cause. The phrase identifies conduct or a claim as rightful rather than wrongful or unauthorized.
Sources & Authorities· 9 primary sources
Select any source to read its text and confirm it supports the definition.
Cases
Uniform Acts
How it applies
Common Examples
6
Buyer Retains No Duty After Rejection
Aurora Biotech ordered specialized lab equipment from Alliance Holdings. Upon delivery the equipment failed to meet contract specifications. Aurora Biotech notified Alliance Holdings of the nonconformity and rejected the goods. Because the rejection was rightful Aurora Biotech had no further obligations regarding the equipment.
Member Withdraws From LLC
Anita Ali and Andre Antoine formed an LLC to develop software. After two years Anita Ali sent written notice withdrawing as a member. The operating agreement contained no restriction on withdrawal. Anita Ali's dissociation occurred by express will and was therefore rightful.
Abigail Alvarez and Austin Abbott formed a partnership to manage a retail store. Abigail Alvarez delivered written notice withdrawing as a partner. The partnership agreement imposed no bar on withdrawal. Abigail Alvarez dissociated by express will and therefore acted rightfully.
Buyer Cancels After Revocation
Amelia Amari purchased custom machinery from Apollo Energy. The machinery arrived with a critical defect. Amelia Amari justifiably revoked acceptance and canceled the contract. She recovered the price paid together with incidental expenses.
Buyer Recovers Inspection Costs
Audrey Ashton bought perishable goods from Ashford Manufacturing. The goods arrived spoiled. Audrey Ashton incurred reasonable expenses inspecting and caring for the rejected shipment. Those expenses qualified as recoverable incidental damages.
Federal Authority Exercised Lawfully
A state enacted a statute restricting interstate navigation on a major river. A licensed vessel operator challenged the restriction. The federal government possessed authority to regulate the activity. The operator therefore proceeded under federal law with good cause.
Gibbons v. Ogden22 U.S. (9 Wheat.) 1, 211 (1824)
Common questions
Frequently Asked
3
What does a bon droit signify in the context of a buyer's rejection of goods?+
It signifies that the buyer acted with good reason when rejecting nonconforming goods. A rightful rejection relieves the buyer of further obligations concerning those goods under UCC Article 2.
Supporting sources
Does a bon droit apply to a partner's withdrawal from a partnership?+
Yes. A partner who withdraws by express will exercises the power rightfully when the withdrawal does not breach an express agreement or occur prematurely in a term partnership.
Supporting sources
How does a bon droit relate to a buyer's recovery of incidental damages?+
It confirms that expenses incurred after a rightful rejection qualify for recovery. Reasonable costs of inspection, care, and cover are recoverable precisely because the rejection was justified.
Supporting sources
304 U.S. 64, 78–80 (1938)Conflict of Laws
…that State. He claimed that the accident occurred through negligence in the operation, or maintenance, of the train; that he was rightfully on the premises as licensee because on a commonly used beaten footpath which ran for a short distance alongside the tracks; and that he was struck by something which looked like a door…