ICA Section 14: "Free consent" defined
Indian Contract Act, 1872 · Chapter 2: Contracts, Voidable Contracts and Void Agreements
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14. "Free consent" defined.- Consent is said to be free when it is not caused by
(1) coercion, as defined in section 15, or
(2) undue influence, as defined in section 16, or
(3) fraud, as defined in section 17, or
(4) misrepresentation, as defined in section 18, or
(5) mistake, subject to the provisions of sections 20, 21 and 22.
Consent is said to be so caused when it would not have been given but for the existence of such coercion, undue influence, fraud, misrepresentation or mistake.
Official reference: India Code, Legislative Department — checked: 29 September 2026.
This text is for reference, not legal advice. Consult the official source for the authoritative text.
Other sections in this chapter
- 10. What agreements are contracts
- 11. Who are competent to contract
- 12. What is a sound mind for the purposes of contracting
- 13. "Consent" defined
- 15. "Coercion" defined
- 16. "Undue influence" defined
- 17. "Fraud" defined
- 18. "Misrepresentation" defined
- 19. Voidability of agreements without free consent
- 19A. Power to set aside contract induced by undue influence
- 20. Agreement void where both parties are under mistake as to matter of fact
- 21. Effect of mistakes as to law
- 22. Contract caused by mistake of one party as to matter of fact
- 23. What considerations and objects are lawful and what not
- 24. Agreement void, if considerations and objects unlawful in part
- 25. Agreement without consideration void, unless it is in writing and registered, or is a promise to compensate for something done, or is a promise to pay a debt barred by limitation law
- 26. Agreement in restraint of marriage void
- 27. Agreement in restraint of trade void
- 28. Agreements in restraint of legal proceedings void
- 29. Agreements void for uncertainty
- 30. Agreements by way of wager void