Legal Definitions - error in vacuo

Definition: Error in vacuo refers to an error that does not affect a party's substantive rights or the outcome of a case. It is also known as harmless error.

Examples:

• During a trial, the judge allows a witness to testify about something that is not relevant to the case. However, this testimony does not affect the final decision of the jury. This is an example of error in vacuo.
• In a contract, there is a minor mistake in the amount of money to be paid. However, this mistake does not change the overall agreement between the parties. This is also an example of error in vacuo.

These examples illustrate how an error can occur during a legal proceeding, but it does not have a significant impact on the outcome of the case. In other words, the error is harmless and does not affect the substantive rights of the parties involved.