Void
Void: Having no legal effect from the beginning, as if it never existed. A void act or document cannot be made valid by later approval. Void is contrasted with voidable, which describes something valid until a party with the right to do so chooses to cancel it, such as a contract induced by fraud. A court may set aside a void judgment (Fed. R. Civ. P. 60(b)(4)), but only in rare cases such as a serious lack of jurisdiction or a denial of due process; a judgment is not void just because it is wrong.
What void means
Put simply, void is part of the working vocabulary of a civil case. The short definition above covers the usual meaning. Still, a specific rule, statute or contract can give it a narrower meaning. For that reason, check how it is used in your own documents.
Where void comes up
For example, the term appears in these procedures:
- Motion for Relief from a Judgment or Order (Fed. R. Civ. P. 60(b)): a motion asking the court to relieve a party from a final judgment, order, or proceeding for one of the reasons listed in Rule 60(b).
- Motion to Vacate Judgment (Fed. R. Civ. P. 55(c), 59(e), 60(a)–(c)): a motion asking the court to cancel (vacate) a judgment it has entered. In federal court there is no single "motion to vacate" rule; the right rule depends on how much time has passed and why the judgment is being challenged.
How to research the term
To research void, begin with the rule, statute or contract where the word is used. Each one can give it a slightly different meaning. Then compare that text with how courts in your area have applied it. Also check the local rules of your court, since they can add requirements. If your case is in state court, the state rules control. So start with our state procedures guide to find them. In the end, always confirm that the source you rely on is current.
You can read the official rule text online for free.
Related legal terms
- Judgment: the court's final decision determining the rights of the parties.
- Vacate: to cancel or set aside a judgment or order.
- Excusable neglect: a standard courts use to decide whether to excuse a missed deadline or mistake, considering the circumstances.
- Fraud: a knowing misrepresentation or concealment of a material fact, made to induce another person to act, on which the person justifiably relies to his or her harm.
- Ab initio: latin for "from the beginning." Something void ab initio is treated as having had no legal effect from its start, not just from the time it is declared void.
Why precise terms matter
Legal words often look like everyday words, but they can carry a precise meaning. Because of that, a small misreading can change how you understand a deadline, a duty or a right. Our glossary keeps each definition short and links it to the procedures where it matters.
Sources
Sources last reviewed: 2026-10-24
Lawtopolis provides legal information and education, not legal advice. Using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws and court rules vary by jurisdiction and change over time; verify every authority against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction about your situation.