The different meanings of ‘Term’ in Legal English

It’s Friday, so today’s article is short and sweet.

In Legal English, there terms and expression that have more than one meaning, and some that have quite a few meanings.

The word with, perhaps, the most meanings is ironically the word ‘Term’ itself!

There are, in fact, five possible meanings. Text version below the TL;DR sections.

✅ TL;DR AUDIO VERSION

✅ TL;DR VIDEO VERSION

✅ANOTHER WORD FOR ‘VOCABULARY’

We often see at the beginning of a contract, “Definition of terms used in this agreement”.

✅ A PERIOD OF TIME GENERALLY

Such as: “The initial term of this agreement shall be two years from the date hereof.”

✅ SPECIFICALLY, A PERIOD OF TIME DURING WHICH THE COURTS MAY SIT

It’s similar to a college term.

For instance, in UK and Ireland, the ‘Spring Term’ means the time between January and April when the spring sittings (sessions) of the court take place.

✅ THE SPECIFIC PROVISIONS OF AN AGREEMENT

For example: “Nothing within the terms of this lease shall be taken to authorize or allow in any way the subletting by the tenant to any persons whatsoever without the landlord’s prior written agreement.”

✅ THE CONDITIONS SUBJECT TO WHICH SOMETHING MIGHT HAPPEN

An example might be, "Licences can only be purchased subject to a number of terms."

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