Legal Definitions - amender

An amender is an individual, group, or entity that proposes or implements changes, corrections, or improvements to a document, law, contract, or other formal text.

Here are some examples illustrating the role of an amender:

• Legislative Context: During a parliamentary debate on a new environmental protection bill, a member of parliament suggests adding a clause that mandates stricter penalties for corporate polluters. The member of parliament, in this instance, acts as an amender by proposing a modification to the draft legislation.

  This example illustrates an amender as an individual proposing a specific change to a legal document (a bill) to improve its effectiveness or scope.

• Contractual Context: A software development company and its client decide to extend the project timeline and adjust the payment schedule for a custom application. They draft an addendum to their original service agreement reflecting these new terms. Both the company and the client, by agreeing to and formalizing these revisions, function as amenders to their existing contract.

  This example shows that an amender can be multiple parties collectively making changes to a binding agreement.

• Constitutional Context: A state's constitutional convention convenes to review and propose updates to the state's foundational governing document. After extensive deliberation, the convention votes to recommend several changes, including a new provision regarding voter registration. The constitutional convention, acting on behalf of the state, serves as an amender by initiating formal alterations to the state constitution.

  This example demonstrates an amender as a formal body tasked with making significant, foundational changes to a core legal text.