§ 1598 Void Unlawful Contracts

This law says that if a contract is about only one thing and that thing is illegal, impossible, or too unclear, then the whole contract is considered void.

Key Takeaways

•If a contract's only purpose is illegal, impossible, or too vague, the whole contract is void.
•The law applies whether the illegal part is the whole contract or just a part of it.
•A contract that can't be clearly defined is also considered void.

Example

A person hires a contractor to build an addition on their house, but the contractor promises to use a material that is banned by law.

Because the single goal of the contract (building the addition) includes an illegal part (using the banned material), the entire agreement is treated as void and cannot be enforced.

Where a contract has but a single object, and such object is unlawful, whether in whole or in part, or wholly impossible of performance, or so vaguely expressed as to be wholly unascertainable, the entire contract is void. (Enacted 1872.)

This law says that if a contract is about only one thing and that thing is illegal, impossible, or too unclear, then the whole contract is considered void.

Key Takeaways

•If a contract's only purpose is illegal, impossible, or too vague, the whole contract is void.
•The law applies whether the illegal part is the whole contract or just a part of it.
•A contract that can't be clearly defined is also considered void.

Example

A person hires a contractor to build an addition on their house, but the contractor promises to use a material that is banned by law.

Because the single goal of the contract (building the addition) includes an illegal part (using the banned material), the entire agreement is treated as void and cannot be enforced.

Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

References

§ 1598 Void Unlawful Contracts

Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

References

Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

References

Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

References