California · Civil Code

CIV §709: If a condition precedent requires the performance of an act wrong of itself, the instrument containing it is so far void, and the right cannot exist.

Civil

What this law says, in plain English

This statute addresses the validity of conditional agreements. A condition requiring an inherently wrongful act voids the entire instrument, while a condition requiring a lawful act performed unlawfully voids only the condition.

Read the full statutory text

If a condition precedent requires the performance of an act wrong of itself, the instrument containing it is so far void, and the right cannot exist. If it requires the performance of an act not wrong of itself, but otherwise unlawful, the instrument takes effect and the condition is void.

Verify at the official source: California legislative text

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.