Written for the experienced and novice practitioner alike, The Law of Performance Bonds covers the major issues relating to the performance bond. This updated edition begins with a discussion about the fundamentals of a suretyship relationship and how it is created. This analysis looks at all issues pertaining to a default situation, including what constitutes a default, notice requirements, and the rights of a surety upon default. Separate chapters are devoted to the surety's right to contract balances and the remedies that are available under the General Indemnity Agreement. The book also discusses in detail obligations and liabilities of the surety, which obligations arise from contract or are "extracontractural" in nature. Authors identify the rights and remedies of principals and indemnitors against the surety, and provide a comprehensive review of the defenses that are available to the surety in response to such claims.

The guide also contains chapters on litigation issues, such as venue and statute of limitations; the impact of arbitration clauses upon the surety; and issues that affect the surety in the event of a bankruptcy proceeding filed by the principal or indemnitor. Experts discuss issues that are the subject of recurring litigation, including challenges by third parties to a surety's right to contract balances; the use of the "strong-arm" provisions of the General Indemnity Agreement against recalcitrant principals or indemnitors; allegations of bad faith; and how to avoid the potential minefield presented by bankruptcy proceedings.

The guide includes a comprehensive discussion of the most current cases addressing these and other performance bond issues, and represents the most comprehensive and up-to-date treatment of performance bonds available anywhere

Table of Contents
Preface
Chapter 1: The Creation of the Relationship
Chapter 2: Conditions Precedent to Asserting a Performance Bond Claim
Chapter 3: Performance Options Available to the Surety
Chapter 4: The Performance Bond Surety’s Rights to Contract Funds
Chapter 5: Surety’s Rights of Recovery Against Principals and Indemnitors under the Common Law and the Indemnity Agreement
Chapter 6: Surety’s Rights under the General Indemnity Agreement to Minimize Loss
Chapter 7: Right of the Surety to Pursue Claims Against Third Parties
Chapter 8: The Performance Bond Surety’s Exposure to Damages
Chapter 9: Extra-Contractual Liability of Performance Bond Sureties
Chapter 10: Common Defenses and Affirmative Claims Asserted by Principals and Indemnitors
Chapter 11: Defenses Available to the Surety
Table of Cases