Avoidance of Contract

Definitions #

The legal right to cancel a contract from the start, as if it never existed, usually because of fraud, misrepresentation, duress, or a serious mistake.

Technical A remedy that rescinds a contract ab initio, restoring the parties to their original positions when a vitiating factor is proven under common law or civil law principles.

Example The buyer sought avoidance of the contract after discovering that the seller had concealed material defects in the goods.

Etymology #

From Latin 'cavere' (to avoid) and Latin 'contractus' (drawing together), via Old French.

Collocations #

grounds for avoidance 法律上可主张解除合同的理由，如欺诈或错误
notice of avoidance 向对方发出的解除合同通知
right of avoidance 主张合同无效或撤销的权利

Real Business Examples #

Under Article 64 of the CISG, the buyer may declare the contract avoided if the seller commits a fundamental breach.
The court granted avoidance of the contract due to the breach of a condition precedent.
The notice of avoidance must be given within a reasonable time after discovery of the fraud.

Register & Variants #

Register: formal
BrE/AmE: 全球通用，英美法律体系均使用

Synonyms & Antonyms #

Synonyms: rescission, annulment
Antonyms: affirmation, performance

Common Errors #

将 avoidance 与 termination 混用 Avoidance 指合同自始无效（ab initio），而 termination 仅终止未来的履行义务，不溯及既往。

Confusable Terms #

Termination vs Avoidance of Contract: Termination ends the contract for the future; avoidance treats it as void from the beginning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Avoidance 和 rescission 有什么区别？?

在多数普通法体系中，两者常互换使用，但 avoidance 强调合同自始无效，rescission 更常用于司法或衡平法救济。

Avoidance 后能要求赔偿吗？?

通常可以，若构成侵权或违约，受害方可另行主张损害赔偿。

Published: 2026-09-25 Category: Contracts