Every bond is dissolved by the same bond by which it was bound.

Explanation

An obligation is released by the same formality that created it — a contract under seal is discharged by a release under seal, a debt by payment, a vow by fulfillment.

Where this applies

• A contract executed under seal can only be released by a document of equal formality — a simple verbal release is insufficient because the bond must be dissolved by the same kind of bond that created it.
• A debt created by a formal promissory note is discharged only by actual payment or a formal release, not by an informal oral agreement to forgive it.
• A marriage, created by a formal legal ceremony, is dissolved only by a formal legal decree of divorce — one spouse's unilateral declaration cannot end what required mutual formality to create.

See also

• 6.2.1 The agreement gives the law to the contract.