An event or state of affairs that is required before something else will occur.

"When I die I will go to heaven." My death is a condition precedent to my going to heaven (although it is also possible in this example for me to go to heaven on the occurrence of other conditions precedent: it is not stated that I will go to heaven only if I die).

In law, a condition precedent is a provision of contract that suspends the coming into effect of a contract or a term of the contract unless or until a certain event takes place.

See also condition subsequent.

Contract law