Effect of mistakes as to law
Section 21 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872 deals with 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 1 India; The Act came into force on 01 Sep 1872.
A contract is not voidable because it was caused by a mistake as to any law in force in 1 India; but a mistake as to a law not in force in 1 India has the same effect as a mistake of fact.
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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.
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Section 21, The Indian Contract Act, 1872 (Act 9 of 1872).
Cross-references
Extracted from the operative text of the enactments themselves. Every destination below exists in our corpus.
Referred to by 1
Questions about Section 21
What does Section 21 of the Indian Contract Act deal with?
Section 21 of the Indian Contract Act is headed "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 1 India;
How do I find court cases under Section 21 of the Indian Contract Act?
In judgments and charge sheets this section is written several ways, and each form finds a different set of orders. These search the full text of every order eCourtsIndia holds, best matches first: Contract Act 21, section 21 Contract Act, section 21 of the Indian Contract Act. People searching for it also type contract labour act 21 4 and indian contract act 21. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome.
What should I read with Section 21 of the Indian Contract Act, and has it changed?
1 other provision in this corpus refers back to it.
When did Section 21 of the Indian Contract Act come into force?
Section 21 of the Indian Contract Act, cited as Contract Act 21, came into force on 01 Sep 1872, having been enacted on 25 Apr 1872. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.
Other sections of this Act
- 73. Compensation for loss or damage caused by breach of contract1822 words
- 23. What considerations and objects are lawful, and what not596 words
- 74. Compensation for breach of contract where penalty stipulated for577 words
- 28. Agreements in restraint of legal proceeding void512 words
- 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 law423 words
- 16. "Undue influence" defined397 words
Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Text as in force on 15 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.