Definition : Obligation of means

A legal or contractual obligation under which the debtor is required to act with prudence and diligence in order to achieve the agreed result, using all reasonable means, without, however, assuring the creditor of the achievement of the result. In the case of an obligation of means, the creditor must prove, in order to hold the debtor liable, that the debtor did not exercise reasonable diligence and prudence in the pursuit of the intended purpose. The creditor, in order to establish the debtor's fault, must show that the non-performance of the contract is due to the fact that the debtor did not use all reasonable means to try to achieve the desired result. The debtor may attempt to exonerate himself either by demonstrating absence of fault, or by superior force or the fact of the victim himself.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ! The jurisprudence holds that the syndicates of co-owners and their directors have only an obligation of means towards the co-owners.