Mitättömyyttä

Mitättömyyttä, often translated as nullity or voidness, is a legal concept referring to a state where an act or legal document is considered to have no legal effect from its inception. This means it is treated as if it never existed in the eyes of the law. Unlike invalidity, which can sometimes be rectified or have partial effects, nullity implies a complete lack of legal standing.

The grounds for declaring something null and void can vary depending on the jurisdiction and the specific area of law. Common reasons include fundamental defects in the formation of a contract, such as lack of genuine consent due to fraud, duress, or mistake, or the act violating mandatory legal provisions or public order. In family law, for instance, a marriage may be declared null and void if certain essential legal requirements were not met at the time of the ceremony.

A declaration of nullity is often made by a court through a legal process. Once declared null, the parties are generally restored to the position they were in before the void act occurred, and any consequences or obligations arising from it are extinguished. This differs from voidable acts, which remain valid until a party chooses to annul them. Mitättömyyttä represents the most severe form of legal defect, rendering an act entirely without legal consequence.