Érvénytelensége

Érvénytelensége, in Hungarian legal language, refers to the lack of legal effect of an act, contract, or decision due to defects in its formation or content. When something is invalid, it does not produce binding rights or obligations from the outset, and it cannot be relied upon to generate legal consequences. The term is derived from érvényes (valid, in force) and the suffix -telenség (lessness).

The concept applies across various areas of law, including civil contracts, corporate acts, and administrative or regulatory acts, as well as normative acts that bind third parties. Grounds for invalidity typically include defects in consent or capacity, illegality of the subject matter, violation of mandatory formal requirements, or other deficiencies that prevent the act from meeting statutory or public-law standards. In many discussions, legal systems distinguish between absolute invalidity (affecting public interest and external validity) and relative invalidity (affecting private rights and remedies between the parties). The exact categorization and consequences can vary by jurisdiction.

Effects of érvénytelenség are that the act is treated as if it never occurred for purposes of legal relations. Rights and obligations from the invalid act are generally unenforceable, and there may be mechanisms for annulment, rescission, or restitution. In some cases, a defective act can be cured by subsequent ratification, confirmation, or restoration of legality through appropriate legal remedies or changes in circumstances.

Common examples include a contract with an illegal object, a contract by a person lacking legal capacity, or a regulatory act issued without proper procedure. Érvénytelenség is often contrasted with érvényesség (validity) and hatály (effectiveness) and remains a central concept in civil and administrative law.