Also known as: à bon droit · rightfully · with just cause
Written by attorneys — see sources 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
In 1798 the New York Legislature granted Robert R. Livingston and Robert Fulton the exclusive right for twenty years to navigate the waters within the jurisdiction of the state with boats moved by fire or steam, a privilege later renewed and extended in 1803 and 1807. The right was assigned first to John R. Livingston and then to Aaron Ogden, who thereby claimed authority to operate steamboats between Elizabethtown, New Jersey, and New York City. Thomas Gibbons, meanwhile, took possession of two steamboats, the Stoudinger and the Bellona, which he employed in the same waters while holding a license issued under the federal Act of February 18, 1793, for enrolling and licensing vessels to be employed in the coasting trade and fisheries. Gibbons filed a bill in the Court of Chancery of New York against Ogden seeking an injunction to restrain Ogden from navigating those waters with steamboats. The bill recited the state grants and the assignment to Ogden, alleged that Ogden was violating the exclusive privilege, and prayed for injunctive relief. Gibbons answered that his vessels were duly enrolled and licensed under the 1793 federal statute and insisted on his right to navigate between Elizabethtown and New York notwithstanding the state legislation. The Chancellor awarded the injunction and, after hearing, perpetuated it on the ground that the New York acts were valid. The Court for the Trial of Impeachments and Correction of Errors, the highest court of the state to which the cause could be carried, affirmed the decree. Gibbons then appealed to the Supreme Court of the United States.
View caseIt 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
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
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
…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…