contracts

void contract

A void contract is an agreement that has no legal force or effect from the beginning because it lacks an essential element, such as a legal purpose or consideration. Because it was never a valid contract, neither party can enforce it, and no court action is needed to cancel it. A void contract differs from a voidable contract, which is valid until one party chooses to cancel it, and from an unenforceable one.

Exam tip
Void = never existed legally; voidable = valid but one party can cancel. A contract for an illegal purpose is void.
Example
Two parties sign a contract to sell a building for use as an illegal gambling operation. The contract is void, and neither side can enforce it.

Related terms & state variants

Sources

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Last verified: 2026-10-23