Chapter III: Of Actions on Account of Nullity of Acts

If an act or contract is null by the law itself, there is given to him whose interest it is an action for obtaining from the judge a declaration of nullity.

§ 1. Nullity of an act is had only when those things are lacking in it which essentially constitute the act itself, or when solemnities or conditions required by the sacred canons under penalty of nullity are wanting.

§ 2. The nullity of some act does not import the nullity of acts which precede or follow and do not depend on the act.

One who placed an act infected by the defect of nullity is bound concerning damages and expenses toward the injured party.

The nullity of an act cannot be declared by the judge from office unless either it is publicly of interest, or there is question of the poor, or of minors or others who are considered by the right of minors.

An inferior judge cannot see concerning confirmation added by the Roman Pontiff to an act or instrument, unless a mandate of the Apostolic See has preceded.