The required attribute on @In/@Out simply says whether the variable can be null or not, by default required=true. so, lets say we have a variable foo. If the context variable foo is null @In Foo foo; would throw a RequiredException but @In(required=true) Foo foo; wouldn't. But, if the context variable foo is not null neither @In Foo foo; nor @In(required=true) Foo foo; would throw a RequiredException. If you are using out, its the instance variable, not the context variable that is not null. If create=true then, if the context variable is null, Seam attempts to create it (@Name or @Factory), if it can't, and required=true, then a RequiredException will be thrown. View the original post : http://www.jboss.com/index.html?module=bb&op=viewtopic&p=3988134#... Reply to the post : http://www.jboss.com/index.html?module=bb&op=posting&mode=reply&a...