This is the standard excuse much favoured by large organisations, such as British Rail, and small disorganisations, such as builders. It is trotted out to explain away a multiplicity of sins and omissions and carries with it heavy implications of a series of Acts of God and Acts of Ayatollas. It is understood by everybody on the receiving end to mean, 'I cocked it up and haven't even got the wit or imagination to dream up a convincing excuse.'

For this reason, Circumstances Beyond Our Control should not be in your arsenal of excuses, except as an act of revenge on those who use it on us. In this context it can be highly effective at stalling the professional self-excusers. For instance:

Dear Sir,

Thank you for your letter concerning the unpaid invoice for £162.50. Due to circumstances beyond my control this account has not yet been settled, but I am pleased to inform you that if you re-submit the account next month, your request will receive sympathetic consideration.

Yours, etc.

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