20. Agreement void where both parties are under mistake as to matter of fact.
Where both the parties to an agreement are under a mistake as to a matter of fact essential to the agreement, the agreement, the agreement is void.
Explanation-
An erroneous opinion as to the value of the things which forms the subject-matter of the agreement, is not be deemed a mistake as to a matter of fact.
Illustrations-
(a) A agrees to sell to B a specific cargo of goods supposed to be on its way from England to Bombay. It turns out that, before the day of the bargain in the ship conveying the cargo had been cast away and the goods lost. Neither party was aware of these facts. The agreement is void.
(b) A agrees to buy from B a certain horse. It turns out that the horse was dead at the time of bargain, though neither party was aware of the fact. The agreement is void.
(c) A, being entitled to an estate of the life of B, agrees to sell it to C, B was dead at the time of the agreement, but both parties were ignorant of the fact. The agreement is void.
Read Contract Act in a systematic way.
Read Contract Act each section wise.
Download beautiful, mobile friendly Contract Act PDF.
- Section 43 BNS (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita) - 7th February 2026
- Section 44 BNS (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita) - 7th February 2026
- Section 45 BNS (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita) - 7th February 2026
