Which of the following is considered a breach of contract under North Carolina law?

Under North Carolina law, a breach of contract occurs when a party does not fulfill their obligations as outlined in the agreement, and this failure cannot be justified by a legal excuse. The correct choice reflects this fundamental principle.

When one party fails to perform any term of a contract and cannot provide a legitimate reason for their inability to perform, it constitutes a breach. This breach can lead to legal consequences, including the possibility of the other party seeking damages or specific performance.

In contrast, providing partial services is typically not seen as a breach if the party can argue that they performed a significant portion of their obligations or if the other party did not suffer damages from the incomplete performance. Meanwhile, mutual agreement to dissolve a contract is a valid and consensual action that ends the contractual obligations for both parties, thus not constituting a breach. Delaying performance can be problematic, but if a party does not communicate this delay, it may complicate the situation without necessarily qualifying as a breach if there is a justifiable reason for the delay. However, failing to inform the other party could lead to misunderstandings or perceived breaches but does not automatically fulfill the criteria for a breach under the law.