sla breach
Definition
An SLA breach happens when one party fails to meet the performance standards or deadlines spelled out in a Service Level Agreement, which is a contract that defines exactly what service quality a vendor or provider must deliver. Think of it as the moment a vendor officially breaks their promise, whether that means your website host let your site go down longer than allowed or your supplier missed a guaranteed delivery window.
Example
Your cloud software provider promised 99.9% uptime in your contract, but their servers went down for 12 hours straight, pushing them below that threshold and triggering an SLA breach that entitles you to a partial refund.
Watch Out
Always read what remedies your contract actually gives you after a breach, because many SLA agreements only offer small service credits rather than the right to cancel or sue for damages.
See which terms appear in your contract?
This definition is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult with a licensed attorney for legal guidance.