ICA Section 21: Effect of mistakes as to law
Indian Contract Act, 1872 · Chapter 2: Contracts, Voidable Contracts and Void Agreements
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21. Effect of mistakes as to law . A contract is not voidable because it was caused by a mistake as to any law in force in India; but a mistake as to a law not in force in [India] has the same effect as a mistake of fact.
Illustration
A and B make a contract grounded on the erroneous belief that a particular debt is barred by the Indian Law of Limitation: the contract is not voidable.
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
- 14. "Free 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
- 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