Legal Definitions - facially void

Definition: When an instrument (like a contract or deed) is patently void upon inspection of its contents, it is considered facially void. This means that it is of no legal effect and is null.

Example: A contract that seriously offends the law or public policy is considered void ab initio, which means it is null from the beginning. For example, if a contract requires someone to commit a crime, it is void ab initio and cannot be enforced. Another example is a deed that has an insufficient property description, making it unenforceable.

Explanation: The examples illustrate how an instrument can be considered facially void if it is null and of no legal effect. In the case of a contract that requires someone to commit a crime, it is against the law and therefore cannot be enforced. Similarly, a deed with an insufficient property description cannot be enforced because it does not provide enough information about the property in question.