Legal Definitions - abridgment

An abridgment refers to a shortened or condensed version of a longer original work, text, or document. Its purpose is to present the essential information, main points, or narrative in a more concise format, often by omitting less critical details, extensive descriptions, or secondary arguments. Historically, in a legal context, an abridgment could also refer to a compilation or digest of legal cases, statutes, or treatises, summarizing key legal principles.

• Example 1 (Legal Brief Summary): Imagine a complex legal case that has generated hundreds of pages of court filings, including detailed motions, affidavits, and expert testimonies. A senior attorney, preparing to brief a client who is not legally trained, might create an abridgment of these documents. This condensed version would focus on the core legal arguments, the most significant pieces of evidence, and the potential outcomes, allowing the client to understand the critical aspects of their case without having to read every single legal pleading.

• Example 2 (Academic Research Paper): A team of scientists publishes a groundbreaking 150-page research paper detailing their methodology, extensive data analysis, and findings on a new medical treatment. For a general science magazine aimed at an educated but non-specialist audience, an editor might commission an abridgment of this paper. This shortened article would explain the study's purpose, its most important discoveries, and their implications in clear, accessible language, omitting the highly technical statistical analyses and detailed experimental protocols found in the original publication.

• Example 3 (Corporate Annual Report): A large corporation releases its annual report, which is typically a comprehensive document spanning hundreds of pages, filled with financial statements, management discussions, and regulatory disclosures. For its shareholders and the general public, the company might also publish an abridgment, often called a "summary annual report." This version would highlight key financial figures, strategic achievements, and future outlook, providing a quick overview of the company's performance and direction without requiring readers to sift through every detailed financial note and legal disclaimer.