Legal Definitions - nullity

A nullity refers to something that is legally void or has no legal effect from its very beginning. It means that, in the eyes of the law, the action, document, or event never validly occurred and therefore carries no legal force or consequences. It is treated as if it never existed.

• Example 1: A Contract Signed by a Minor

  Imagine a 15-year-old signs a contract to purchase an expensive piece of equipment from a store. In most jurisdictions, individuals under a certain age (typically 18) are considered minors and lack the full legal capacity to enter into binding contracts. Therefore, the contract signed by the minor is a nullity. It is legally void and unenforceable from the moment it was made, meaning the minor can typically disaffirm it without legal penalty, and the store cannot legally compel them to fulfill the agreement.

• Example 2: A Will Lacking Proper Witnessing

  Consider an individual who writes out their last will and testament, clearly stating how they wish their assets to be distributed. However, they only sign it themselves and do not have the two witnesses sign it, which is a common legal requirement in many states for a will to be valid. In this scenario, the document would be considered a nullity. Because it failed to meet the essential legal formalities for its creation, it has no legal standing as a will and cannot be used to legally transfer the deceased person's property.

• Example 3: A Court Judgment Issued Without Jurisdiction

  Suppose a local traffic court attempts to issue a ruling on a complex international trade dispute. A traffic court's authority, or "jurisdiction," is limited to specific types of cases, such as minor traffic infractions. It does not have the legal power to hear or decide matters of international trade. Any judgment or order issued by that traffic court in the trade dispute would be a nullity. It would be void and without any legal effect because the court fundamentally lacked the authority to act in that particular matter.