Substance Over Form Doctrine
/ˈsʌbstəns ˈoʊvər fɔrm ˈdɔktrɪn/
Definitions
- (n.) A legal accounting principle prioritizing the economic reality of transactions over their formal or legalistic appearances.
The court applied the substance over form doctrine to determine the true nature of the complex financial arrangement.
Forms
- substance over form doctrine
- substance over form doctrines
Related terms
See also
Commentary
This doctrine guides courts and accountants to look beyond contractual labels to the actual intent and effect, often preventing abuse of form to evade legal obligations.
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.