null and void

Meaning

Null and void describes a contract, agreement, or transaction that has no legal force or binding effect. It is used when an agreement is declared invalid from the beginning or becomes invalid due to a breach. The tone is strictly formal, authoritative, and legal.

Examples

• If the terms are violated, this contract will be declared null and void.

  If the terms are violated, this contract will be declared null and void.

• The court ruled that the initial merger agreement was null and void.

  The court ruled that the initial merger agreement was null and void.

• Failure to sign the document by Friday will render the offer null and void.

  Failure to sign the document by Friday will render the offer null and void.

• Any unauthorized changes to this policy will make it null and void.

  Any unauthorized changes to this policy will make it null and void.

• Because the signatory lacked authority, the transaction is null and void.

  Because the signatory lacked authority, the transaction is null and void.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ The agreement became null and voided.

  ✓ The agreement became null and void.

  'Void' is used as an adjective here; do not add the past tense suffix '-ed' to it in this fixed phrase.

• ✗ The contract is now null and zero.

  ✓ The contract is now null and void.

  This is a fixed legal double phrase (hendiadys). You cannot substitute 'void' with 'zero' or 'empty'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Failing to disclose financial liabilities will render the contract ___.

  💡 Having no legal force.

  Show answer

  null and void

• The judge declared the previous agreement ___ due to a conflict of interest.

  💡 Legally invalid.

  Show answer

  null and void