Legal Definitions - Void

Void describes something that is legally invalid from its very beginning. It means that, in the eyes of the law, the action, agreement, or document never had any legal force or effect, as if it never existed. It cannot be made valid later, because it lacked fundamental legal requirements from the outset.

• Example 1: An Illegal Contract

  Imagine two individuals enter into a written agreement where one promises to pay the other a large sum of money to commit a crime, such as vandalizing a competitor's property. This agreement, even if signed by both parties, is considered void from the moment it is made.

  Explanation: The contract is void because its purpose is illegal. The law will not recognize it as a legitimate agreement, and neither party can enforce it in court. It has no legal standing whatsoever, as if it never existed in the eyes of the law.

• Example 2: A Bigamous Marriage

  Consider a situation where a person who is already legally married, without obtaining a divorce, goes through a marriage ceremony with a second individual. In many jurisdictions, the law prohibits bigamy.

  Explanation: The second marriage would be deemed void. Despite the ceremony, the law treats this second marriage as if it never legally occurred. It confers no spousal rights or obligations because it was invalid from its inception due to the existing legal marriage.

• Example 3: A Deed Signed by an Incompetent Person

  Suppose an elderly individual, who has been legally declared mentally incompetent by a court, signs a deed attempting to transfer ownership of their house to a neighbor. The court order specifically states they lack the capacity to manage their own affairs.

  Explanation: This deed would be considered void. Because the individual lacked the legal capacity to enter into such an agreement at the time of signing, the law treats the transfer as if it never happened. The deed has no legal effect on the ownership of the house, and the property remains with the legally incompetent person.