void contract

Definition of void contract

Further reading

A void contract, also known as a void agreement, is not actually a contract. A void contract cannot be enforced by law. Void contracts are different from voidable contracts, which are contracts that may be (but not necessarily will be) nullified.

An agreement to carry out an illegal act is an example of a void contract or void agreement. For example, a contract between drug dealers and buyers is a void contract simply because the terms of the contract are illegal. In such a case, neither party can go to court to enforce the contract. A void contract is void ab initio, i e from the beginning while a voidable contract can be voidable by one or all of the parties.

A contract can also be void due to the impossibility of its performance. E g: If a contract is formed between two parties A & B but during the performance of the contract the object of the contract becomes impossible to achieve (due to action by someone or something other than the contracting parties), then the contract cannot be enforced in the court of law and is thus void. A void contract can be one in which any of the prerequisites of a valid contract is/are absent for example if there is no contractual capacity, the contract can be deemed as void. In fact, void means that a contract does not exist at all. The law can not enforce any legal obligation to either party especially the disappointed party because they are not entitled to any protective laws as far as contracts are concerned.

Features of Void agreements:

• An agreement made by incompetent parties (minor/lunatic Person) is void.
• Any agreement with a bilateral mistake is void.
• Agreements which have unlawful consideration is void.
• Agreement with a unlawful object is void.
• Agreements made without consideration is void.
• Agreement in restraint of marriage of any major person is void (absolute restriction).
• Agreement in restraint of trade is void. (reasonable reason)
• Agreement in restraint of legal proceedings is void.
• An agreement the terms of which are uncertain is void.
• An agreement by way of wager (betting/gambling) is void.
• An agreement contingent upon the happening of an impossible event is void.
• Agreement to do impossible acts is void.