City of Monroe v. Niven

A void judgment is one which has a mere semblance but is lacking in some of the essential elements which would authorize the court to proceed to judgment. McIntosh P. & P., sec. 651, p. 734; Harrell v. Welstead, 206 N. C., 817, 175 S. E., 283.

Jurisdiction of the party, obtained by the court in some way allowed by law, is essential to enable the court to give a valid judgment against him. Stancill v. Gay, 92 N. C., 462; Guerin v. Guerin, 208 N. C., 457, 181 S. E., 274. When a court has no authority to act its acts are void. It is the service of process in some manner authorized .by law that…