Steinberg v Scala (Leeds) Ltd (1923) is an English contract law case that dealt with the issue of frustration of a contract.

In this case, Steinberg, a professional singer, had entered into a contract with Scala (Leeds) Ltd to perform at their theatre on certain dates. However, before the first performance, the theatre was destroyed by fire and could not be rebuilt in time for the scheduled performances.

Steinberg sued Scala (Leeds) Ltd for breach of contract, but the company argued that the contract had been frustrated by the fire and that they were not liable for the cancellation of the performances.

The court held that the contract had been frustrated by the fire and that Scala (Leeds) Ltd was not liable for the cancellation of the performances. The court held that frustration occurs when an event occurs after the contract is made that makes it impossible to perform the contract, or radically alters the obligations of the parties under the contract, and that this was the case with the fire at the Scala theatre.

The case of Steinberg v Scala (Leeds) Ltd is an important case in the law of contract as it established the principle of frustration, which applies when an event occurs that makes performance of a contract impossible or radically alters the obligations of the parties under the contract. The case also confirmed that parties are not liable for breach of contract when a contract is frustrated, and that frustration is a defence to an action for breach of contract.