Potestative Condition Definition: A condition made in a contract the fulfillment of which is entirely in the control of one of the parties to the contract. In his book on civil law, Louisiana judge William Howe wrote: “A potestative condition is one which is in the power of the party in whose favor the obligation is contracted, as if I engage to pay my neighbour a sum of money provided he will cut down a tree on his land which obstructs my view.” French: condition potestative. REFERENCES: Howe, W., Studies in the Civil Law (Littleton, Colorado: Fred B. Rothman & Co., 1980), page134 Categories & Topics: Civil Law Dictionary Contract Law Dictionary Find you are constantly looking up definitions? Try our search provider (works in most modern browsers) If you find an error or omission in Duhaime's Legal Dictionary, or if you have legal term suggestion, we'd love to hear from you!