addition

LegalLegal glossary term

Legal Definition

In a legal context, 'addition' refers to the act of adding something to an existing quantity or set, often within a contract or legal proceeding. It signifies the incorporation of new elements into a defined scope, such as in a contract clause or a claim for damages.

Plain-English Translation

Imagine you have a rule that says 'add more' to what is already there; it means putting something extra into a set of rules or a list. In law, it’s about adding new facts or obligations to an existing agreement or legal requirement.

Context in Contracts

It matters because it defines the precise scope of obligations or rights. In litigation, 'addition' determines whether a claim is valid by showing what was added to the original injury or obligation, and how that addition affects the overall legal liability.

Visual model

Understand addition fast

ELI10 illustration for addition
01

Adding a new clause to an existing contract to define a specific obligation.

02

Adding damages to an initial claim for injury to cover all losses incurred.

Document context

How addition shows up in legal documents

What is it?

The act of increasing the quantity, scope, or obligation of something within a legal document, such as in a contract, a claim for damages, or a statutory provision.

Why does it matter?

It matters because it defines the precise scope of obligations or rights. In litigation, 'addition' determines whether a claim is valid by showing what was added to the original injury or obligation, and how that addition affects the overall legal liability.

When does it matter?

When defining the scope of an agreement, calculating damages in a lawsuit, or when expanding the scope of a legal duty under a statute.

Where is it usually seen?

In contract provisions, legal claims, statutory language, or regulatory compliance documents where new terms are being incorporated into an existing framework.

Who is affected?

Affected parties include the plaintiff/claimant seeking to prove an increased claim, the defendant/respondent defending against the scope of liability, and the legal entity that is adding a new obligation.

How does it work?

It works by mathematically or substantively increasing the defined terms of a contract or legal requirement. For instance, in a contract, it means adding a new deliverable or an additional duty to the original set of agreed-upon terms.

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Wikipedia

Addition

Addition

Addition, usually denoted with the plus sign +, is one of the four basic operations of arithmetic, the other three being subtraction, multiplication, and division. The addition of two whole numbers results in the total or sum of those values combined. For...

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Disclaimer: We do not provide legal advice. We translate legal language into plain English and help you prepare for a conversation with a lawyer.