Sham Transaction

/ˈʃæm trænˌzækʃən/

Definitions

  1. (n.) A transaction or contract intended to deceive by disguising the true nature of the underlying agreement or to evade legal obligations.
    The court declared the agreement a sham transaction and refused to enforce it.

Forms

  • sham transactions

Commentary

A sham transaction is characterized by intent to mislead courts or third parties, often used in contexts involving fraud or attempts to circumvent law; courts may look beyond form to substance to assess validity.

This glossary is for general informational and educational purposes only. Definitions are jurisdiction-agnostic but reflect terminology and concepts primarily drawn from English and American legal traditions. Nothing herein constitutes legal advice or creates a lawyer-client relationship. Users should consult qualified counsel for advice on specific matters or jurisdictions.

Draft confidently with Amicus

Create, negotiate, and sign agreements in one secure workspace—invite collaborators, track revisions, and keep audit-ready records automatically.

Open the Amicus app