What is Void at common law?

At common law, "void" refers to a legal status indicating that a contract, agreement, or legal action is invalid and unenforceable from the outset. This means that it has no legal effect and cannot be ratified or enforced by either party. Common reasons for a contract being deemed void include lack of capacity, illegality, or failure to meet essential legal requirements. Unlike a voidable contract, which can be annulled at the option of one party, a void contract is considered null and without legal effect from the beginning.