Prior

/ˈpraɪər/

Definitions

  1. (adj.) Existing or coming before in time, order, or importance.
    The prior agreement must be reviewed before drafting a new contract.
  2. (n.) A previous instance or condition; an antecedent.
    The court considered the prior in evaluating the case.

Forms

  • priors

Commentary

In legal drafting, 'prior' frequently relates to former contracts, judgments, or rights and should be used precisely to indicate temporal or hierarchical precedence.

This glossary is for general informational and educational purposes only. Definitions are jurisdiction-agnostic but reflect terminology and concepts primarily drawn from English and American legal traditions. Nothing herein constitutes legal advice or creates a lawyer-client relationship. Users should consult qualified counsel for advice on specific matters or jurisdictions.

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