Scheme

/skiːm/

Definitions

  1. (n.) A systematic plan or arrangement for attaining a particular goal, especially in legal or financial contexts.
    The company launched a new retirement savings scheme for its employees.
  2. (n.) A secret or devious plan, often intended to deceive or cheat.
    The fraudsters devised a scheme to launder money through offshore accounts.

Forms

  • schemes
  • schemed
  • scheming

Commentary

In legal drafting, clarity in defining the purpose of a scheme is crucial to avoid ambiguity between legitimate organized plans and illicit conspiracies.

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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