If a man grant that which is not his, the grant is void.

Explanation

(English-origin maxim.) A grant of what the grantor does not own is void ab initio — no interest passes, and the grantee acquires nothing regardless of the form of the conveyance.

Where this applies

• A man forges a deed to property he does not own and sells it to an innocent buyer — the forged grant is void and the buyer gets nothing.
• A county commissioner grants a permit on land the county does not own, and the permit is worthless because the county had no authority over that land.
• A company assigns a patent it does not hold, and the assignment conveys nothing because you cannot grant what is not yours.