Unwirksames

Unwirksames is the neuter singular inflection of the German adjective unwirksam, meaning not effective or not legally binding. In legal and administrative language, unwirksam describes acts, declarations, or instruments that do not produce the intended legal effect. The term is commonly used for contracts, declarations of intent, or official documents that fail to create or transfer rights or obligations.

As a attributive adjective, unwirksames appears before neuter nouns in demonstrative or determiner contexts, for example: das unwirksame Dokument, das unwirksame Angebot. The corresponding forms for other genders are unwirksamer Vertrag (masculine) and unwirksame Willenserklärung (feminine). In general, the form varies with case and gender according to German grammar.

In civil law, something described as unwirksam typically lacks force in the specific legal setting, even if it may still exist as a fact. Common causes include defects in consent, violations of required form, or incapacity. An unwirksamer Vertrag or unwirksame Willenserklärung does not create enforceable rights, though some contexts may allow remedies such as cure, ratification, or withdrawal.

The term is distinct from related concepts such as ungültig (invalid), nichtig (void ab initio), or anfechtbar (challengeable). Nichtigkeit often denotes a contract or act that is void from the outset, while ungültig can be a broader, less technical designation of invalidity. Anfechtbarkeit refers to actions that are valid until successfully challenged. The precise meaning of unwirksam depends on jurisdiction and the applicable legal regime, but it broadly signals a lack of binding effect in the relevant context.