Section 57 Contract Act Explained: Reciprocal promise to do things legal, and also other things illegal | Nyaya

Statutory Content

What does Section 57 of Contract Act say?

Section 57 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872, states: 'Where persons reciprocally promise, firstly, to do certain things which are legal, and, secondly, under specified circumstances, to do certain other things which are illegal, the first set of promises is a valid contract in respect of the legal things, and the second set is a void contract in respect of the illegal things.' This section deals with the situation where the contract involves both legal and illegal acts. The courts have held that the contract is valid in respect of the legal acts and void in respect of the illegal acts. In the case of J. K. (Bombay) P. Ltd. vs. New Mofussil Supply Co., the court observed that the contract is valid in respect of the legal part and void in respect of the illegal part.

Indian StandardSection 57, Indian Contract Act, 1872

Bluebook (21st ed.)Indian Contract Act, 1872, § 57 (India)

Court Pleading StandardSection 57 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872

Canonical Web linkhttps://nyaya.cloud/acts/indian-contract-act-1872/57

Embed this Section Card

Want to display this Section explanation card on your website? Copy and paste the HTML code below:

<iframe src="https://nyaya.cloud/api/widget/section?act=indian-contract-act-1872&sec=57" width="100%" height="250" style="border:none; border-radius:8px;"></iframe>

Source: Gazette of India (Official Publication)Verify egazette.gov.in ↗

Common Questions about Section 57 Contract Act

What is Section 57 of Contract Act?

Section 57 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872 (Contract Act) defines and regulates "Reciprocal promise to do things legal, and also other things illegal". The section states: Section 57 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872, states: 'Where persons reciprocally promise, firstly, to do certain things which are legal, and, secondly, under specified circumstance...

Landmark Case Laws