---
title: O.C.G.A. § 13-5-6. Duress.
collection: code
id: 13-5-6
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 13-5-6 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/13-5-6
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/13-5-6.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/13-5-6/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t13-(v11)-2010-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=e4dbdcfd_0#page=311
date: 2025
status: active
corpus_version: 2025-supplement-89aa39ab3c68
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publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
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version: the only printed version
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current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: CONTRACTS / DEFENSES / GENERAL PROVISIONS
---

# O.C.G.A. § 13-5-6. Duress.

Since the free assent of the parties is essential to a valid contract, duress, either by imprisonment, threats, or other acts, by which the free will of the party is restrained and his consent induced, renders the contract voidable at the election of the injured party. Legal imprisonment, if not used for illegal purposes, does not constitute duress.

## History

Orig. Code 1863, § 2716; Code 1868, § 2710; Code 1873, § 2752; Code 1882, § 2752; Civil Code 1895, § 3670; Civil Code 1910, § 4255; Code 1933, § 20-503.

## Cross References

General rules of pleading and requirement of setting forth duress as an affirmative defense, § 9-11-8.