Void And Voidable - Definition - Law Dictionary Home Dictionary Definition void-and-voidable

Definition :

Void and voidable. There is this difference between these two words: void means that an instrument or transaction is so nugatory and ineffectual that nothing can cure it; voidable, when an imperfection or defect can be cured by the act or confirmation of him who could take advantage of it. Thus, while acceptance of rent will make good a voidable lease, it will not affirm a void lease. See NULL AND VOID.

The expression 'void' has several facets. One type of void acts, transactions, decrees are those which are wholly without jurisdiction, ab initio void and for avoiding the same, no declaration is necessary, law does not take any notice of the same and it can be disregarded in collateral proceeding or otherwise. The other type of void act, e.g., may be transaction against a minor without being represented by a next friend. Such a transaction is a good transaction against the whole world. So far as the minor is concerned, if he decides to avoid the same and succeeds in avoiding it by taking recourse to appropriate proceeding the transaction becomes void from the very beginning. Another type of void act may be one which is not a nullity but for avoiding the same, a declaration has to be made. Voidable act is that which is a good act unless avoided, e.g., if a suit is filed for a declaration that a document is fraudulent and/or forged and fabricated, it is voidable as the apparent state of affairs is the real state of affairs and a party who alleges otherwise is obliged to prove it. If it is proved that the document is forged and fabricated and a declaration to that effect is given, a transaction becomes void from the very beginning. There may be a voidable transaction which is required to be set aside and the same is avoided from the day it is so set aside and not any day prior to it. In cases, where legal effect of a document cannot be taken away without setting aside the same, it cannot be treated to be void but would be obviously voidable, Government of Orissa v. Ashok Transport Agency, (2000) 9 SCC 28 (50).

The distinction between void and voidable is often great practical importance. Whenever technical accuracy is required, void can be applied only to those provisions that are of no effect whatsoever, Black's Law Dictionary, 7th Edn., p. 1568.