WH glossary terms

Browse full definitions for every WH term in the Amicus glossary.

Whataboutism

/ˈwɒtəˌbʌtɪzəm/

Definitions

  1. (n.) A rhetorical tactic in legal or political disputes where one party responds to an accusation by making a counter-accusation, often deflecting criticism rather than addressing the original issue.
    The defense attorney resorted to whataboutism instead of responding to the allegations directly.

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Commentary

Whataboutism is often considered a fallacious argumentative strategy and is important to recognize in legal discourse to maintain focus on relevant issues.

Whataboutism Fallacy

/ˌwɒtəbəˈrɪz(ə)m ˈfæljəsi/

Definitions

  1. (n.) A logical fallacy in legal or political argumentation where a person's position is dismissed by accusing them of hypocrisy without directly addressing their claim.
    The lawyer's defense was undermined by the opponent's use of the whataboutism fallacy, deflecting the issue to unrelated misconduct.

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Commentary

This fallacy often appears in legal debates and arguments, where direct refutation is replaced by pointing out alleged hypocrisy; recognizing it is key to maintaining focus on substantive issues.

Whereas

/ˈwɛəræz/

Definitions

  1. (conj.) Introduces a preamble or recital in legal documents, explaining the background or reasons for the agreement or provision.
    Whereas the parties desire to enter into this agreement, the following terms are agreed upon.

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Commentary

Often used in formal agreements to set context; drafters should ensure clarity by using whereas clauses to outline intentions before operative provisions.

Whereas Clause

/ˈwɛərəz klɔːz/

Definitions

  1. (n.) A preliminary statement in a legal document that provides background, context, or reasons leading to the main provisions.
    The whereas clause outlined the parties' intentions before the operative terms of the contract.
  2. (n.) A clause beginning with 'whereas' that sets forth factual or logical premises in legislative or corporate resolutions.
    The board's resolution included several whereas clauses explaining the necessity of the action.

Forms

  • whereas clause
  • whereas clauses

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Commentary

Whereas clauses are typically non-operative and used to clarify intent; they may impact interpretation but usually do not have independent legal effect.

Whereas Statement

/ˈwɛəræz ˈsteɪtmənt/

Definitions

  1. (n.) A preliminary clause in a legal document that sets forth the background, context, or reasons for the agreement or enactment.
    The whereas statement in the contract explained the parties' intent to collaborate on research.

Forms

  • whereas statement
  • whereas statements

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Commentary

Whereas statements serve to establish context and purpose but are generally not operative provisions; drafters should use them to clarify intentions without creating obligations.

Whereby

/wɛərˈbaɪ/

Definitions

  1. (conj.) By which; through the means of which something is done, typically in legal documents describing processes or mechanisms.
    The contract includes a clause whereby the tenant may terminate the lease early.

Forms

  • whereby

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Commentary

Commonly used in formal legal writing to introduce mechanisms or conditions; should be used precisely to avoid ambiguity in legal instruments.

Wherefore Clause

/ˈwɛərfɔːr klɔːz/

Definitions

  1. (n.) A concluding clause in a legal document, typically a will or contract, stating the reasons or grounds for the document's provisions and often reciting the testator's or parties' intentions.
    The wherefore clause in the will clarified the testator’s intent to donate her estate to charity.

Forms

  • wherefore clause
  • wherefore clauses

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Commentary

The wherefore clause is typically employed at the end of wills and legal pleadings and should clearly encapsulate the rationale or demands, ensuring enforceability and clarity.

Wherein

Definitions

  1. (adv.) In which; in the thing or situation specified.
    The contract stipulates the terms wherein the parties must act.
  2. (conj.) In the respect or regard that; where.
    The statute provides the conditions wherein an exemption applies.

Forms

  • wherein

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Commentary

Often used in formal legal drafting to specify precise circumstances or sections within documents, 'wherein' clarifies the locus of legal obligations or conditions.

Whereof

/ˌwɛərˈɒv/

Definitions

  1. (adv.) Of what; used to refer to something just mentioned, especially in legal documents to specify the subject matter.
    The parties agree to the terms whereof they have set their hands.

Forms

  • whereof

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Commentary

Commonly used in formal legal documents to refer back to a previously stated clause or matter, ensuring precision and clarity in drafting.

Whipping

/ˈwɪpɪŋ/

Definitions

  1. (n.) A form of corporal punishment involving beating with a whip or similar instrument.
    The law abolished whipping as a judicial penalty.
  2. (v.) The act of striking someone with a whip, often as punishment or discipline.
    The prisoner was whipped for disobedience.

Forms

  • whipping
  • whippings
  • whipped

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Commentary

In legal contexts, whipping is largely disfavored or abolished as a form of punishment, appearing historically or in statutory provisions concerning corporal punishment.

Whistleblower

/ˈwɪsəlˌbloʊər/

Definitions

  1. (n.) An individual who reports misconduct, violations of law, or unethical behavior within an organization to authorities or the public, often protected by specific laws.
    The whistleblower exposed the company's fraudulent accounting practices.

Forms

  • whistleblowers

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Commentary

Whistleblowers are legally significant as their disclosures often trigger investigations and protections; drafting laws should clearly define protections and scope of disclosures.

Whistleblower Claim

/ˈwɪsəlˌbloʊər kleɪm/

Definitions

  1. (n.) A legal complaint filed by an individual reporting illegal, unethical, or unlawful acts within an organization, often seeking protection from retaliation.
    The employee filed a whistleblower claim after disclosing the company's fraudulent accounting practices.

Forms

  • whistleblower claim
  • whistleblower claims

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Commentary

Whistleblower claims typically arise under specific statutes providing protections and remedies; precise legal standards vary by jurisdiction.

Whistleblower Policy

/ˈwɪsəlˌbloʊər ˈpɑlɪsi/

Definitions

  1. (n.) A formal organizational policy designed to encourage and protect individuals who report misconduct, illegal activities, or ethical violations within an entity.
    The company's whistleblower policy outlines the procedures for confidentially reporting fraud.

Forms

  • whistleblower policy
  • whistleblower policies

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Commentary

A whistleblower policy is often integrated with compliance programs and must balance confidentiality with the need for thorough investigation.

Whistleblower Protection

/ˈwɪsəlˌbloʊər prəˌtɛkʃən/

Definitions

  1. (n.) Legal safeguards ensuring that individuals who report wrongdoing or violations within organizations are protected from retaliation.
    Whistleblower protection laws encourage employees to report misconduct without fear of losing their jobs.

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Commentary

Whistleblower protection is critical in promoting transparency and accountability; statutes vary by jurisdiction and often require careful drafting to balance protection with organizational interests.

Whistleblower Protection Act

/ˈhwɪsəlˌbloʊər prəˈtɛkʃən ækt/

Definitions

  1. (n.) Federal law protecting employees who report illegal or unethical conduct from retaliation.
    The Whistleblower Protection Act shields federal employees from adverse actions after reporting misconduct.

Forms

  • whistleblower protection act

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Commentary

Primarily applies to federal employees; awareness of scope is key when drafting related policies.

Whistleblower Report

/ˈwɪsəlˌbloʊər rɪˈpɔrt/

Definitions

  1. (n.) A formal document or communication submitted by a whistleblower disclosing information about illegal, unethical, or improper conduct within an organization.
    The company launched an internal investigation after receiving the whistleblower report detailing regulatory violations.

Forms

  • whistleblower report
  • whistleblower reports

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Commentary

Whistleblower reports often trigger regulatory or internal investigations and must be drafted with careful attention to factual specificity and legal relevance.

Whistleblower Statute

/ˈwɪsəlˌbloʊər ˈstætʃuːt/

Definitions

  1. (n.) A law that protects employees who report misconduct, fraud, or illegal activities from retaliation by their employer.
    The whistleblower statute encouraged the employee to report financial fraud without fear of losing his job.

Forms

  • whistleblower statute
  • whistleblower statutes

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Commentary

Typically includes provisions for confidentiality and remedies for retaliation; varies by jurisdiction.

Whistleblowing

/ˈwɪsəlˌbloʊɪŋ/

Definitions

  1. (n.) The act of reporting illegal, unethical, or improper conduct within an organization to internal or external authorities.
    The employee's whistleblowing led to an investigation into corporate fraud.

Forms

  • whistleblower
  • whistleblowing (gerund)

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Commentary

Whistleblowing in legal contexts often involves protections against retaliation; clarity in policy drafting can encourage reporting while safeguarding sources.

White House Office

/ˈwaɪt haʊs ˈɒfɪs/

Definitions

  1. (n.) The White House Office is the entity within the Executive Office of the President comprising the President's closest staff who advise and assist in the execution of presidential duties.
    The White House Office coordinates communication strategies and policymaking initiatives for the President.

Forms

  • white house office
  • white house offices

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Commentary

The term specifically denotes the President's immediate advisory staff distinct from broader executive agencies; precision is important in legal and governmental contexts.

White-Collar Crime

/ˌwaɪtˈkɒlər kraɪm/

Definitions

  1. (n.) Non-violent crime committed by individuals or organizations in professional or business contexts, typically for financial gain through deceit or breach of trust.
    The executive was charged with white-collar crime involving embezzlement and fraud.

Forms

  • white-collar crimes

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Commentary

White-collar crime emphasizes deceit and violation of trust in commercial settings, contrasting with violent or street crime; terminology is prevalent in criminal and corporate law.

Whitelist

/ˈwaɪtlɪst/

Definitions

  1. (n.) A list of entities, such as persons, organizations, or IP addresses, authorized to access certain resources or perform specific actions under legal or regulatory conditions.
    The compliance department maintains a whitelist of vendors approved for data processing.

Forms

  • whitelists
  • whitelisted
  • whitelisting

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Commentary

Used primarily in cybersecurity and regulatory compliance contexts, 'whitelist' refers to a positive list allowing access or privileges, contrasting with 'blacklist.' Legal drafters should ensure clarity by specifying criteria for inclusion on a whitelist to avoid ambiguity.

Whole Life Insurance

/ˌhoʊl laɪf ɪnˈʃʊərəns/

Definitions

  1. (n.) A type of permanent life insurance that provides coverage for the insured's entire lifetime, featuring fixed premiums and a cash value component.
    She chose whole life insurance to ensure lifelong financial protection for her beneficiaries.

Forms

  • whole life insurance

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Commentary

Whole life insurance is characterized by lifelong coverage and a savings element; distinguish it from term life insurance that covers a fixed period.

Wholesale

/ˈhoʊlseɪl/

Definitions

  1. (adj.) Relating to the sale of goods in large quantities, typically for resale by a retailer.
    The wholesale price is lower than the retail price.
  2. (adv.) By or to a wholesaler or in large quantities.
    The products were sold wholesale to various distributors.
  3. (n.) The practice or business of selling goods in large quantities to be retailed by others.
    He works in wholesale, supplying stores across the region.

Forms

  • wholesales
  • wholesaled
  • wholesaling

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Commentary

In legal contexts, 'wholesale' often appears in contracts and commercial law delineating sale volume, pricing, and distribution rights.

Wholesaler

/ˈhoʊlseɪlər/

Definitions

  1. (n.) An entity engaged in purchasing goods in bulk from manufacturers to sell to retailers or other commercial users rather than to the final consumer, often subject to commercial regulations.
    The wholesaler supplied the local stores with the latest electronic devices.

Forms

  • wholesalers

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Commentary

In legal contexts, wholesaler status can influence liability, taxation, and regulatory compliance, especially in commercial law and trade regulations.

Wholly

/ˈhoʊlli/

Definitions

  1. (adv.) Completely; entirely, especially in legal contexts indicating full extent or totality of an action or condition.
    The defendant was held wholly responsible for the damages.

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Commentary

Used to emphasize the full extent of a legal obligation, liability, or condition; often appears in determinations of responsibility or scope of contracts.

Glossary – WH Terms