Prior Act
/ˈpraɪər ækt/
Definitions
- (n.) A prior act is a previous action or offense relevant to the current legal matter, often considered for evidentiary purposes.
The prosecution introduced the defendant's prior act to establish a pattern of behavior.
- (n.) In insurance, a prior act clause excludes coverage for incidents occurring before the policy's effective date.
The claim was denied due to the prior act exclusion in the insurance policy.
Forms
- prior acts
Related terms
Commentary
In litigation, prior acts are typically scrutinized under strict evidentiary rules to balance probative value against prejudice.
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.