High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Frustration in English law is an English contract law doctrine, which acts as a device to set aside contracts where an unforeseen event either renders contractual obligations impossible, or radically changes the party`s principal purpose for entering into the contract. Historically, there had been no way of setting aside an impossible contract after formation; it was not until 1863, and the case of Taylor v Caldwell, that the beginnings of the doctrine of frustration were established. Whilst the doctrine has seen expansion from its inception, it is still narrow in application;Lord Roskill stated that it is: "not lightly to be invoked to relieve contracting parties of the normal consequences of imprudent bargains."