'Relief from forfeiture' is a general statutory form of relief, also granted in specific areas of law such as landlord & tenant [Commercial Tenancies Act, s.20] and insurance law [Insurance Act, s.129]. It is mostly a consideration in contract law, though not only that as it has been held to apply to statutory penalties as well. When granted by a court, it is a legal excuse from the strict application of penalties or forfeitures which would otherwise operate against a party.
The general statutory form is under s.98 of the Courts of Justice Act (here called "CJA relief from forfeiture"), which reads:
A court may grant relief against penalties and forfeitures, on such terms as to compensation or otherwise as are considered just.
