Legal Definitions - AOC

AOC is an acronym that can stand for two different legal concepts, depending on the context:

• 1. ANNO ORBIS CONDITI

  This is a Latin phrase meaning "in the year of the creation of the world." It refers to an ancient system of dating events from the supposed time of the world's creation, often used in historical, religious, or scholarly contexts, particularly in older documents.

  • Example 1: Historical Manuscript Dating

    An antique map from the 17th century might bear a date like "AOC 5620," indicating its creation according to a specific historical or religious calendar that calculates years from the world's genesis. This usage helps historians understand the dating conventions of the period when the map was made.

  • Example 2: Ancient Property Records

    In a very old land grant or deed discovered in an archive, the document might specify the date of its execution as "the fifth day of the month of Nisan, AOC 5500." This would signify the date according to a calendar system that begins with the creation of the world, providing a historical timestamp for the property transaction.

• 2. And other consideration

  In contract law, "consideration" refers to something of value exchanged between parties to form a binding agreement. When a contract states "and other consideration," it indicates that beyond the explicitly mentioned items or payments, there are additional valuable promises, acts, or benefits being exchanged between the parties. This phrase is often used to ensure that all aspects of the exchange, even those not fully detailed, are acknowledged as part of the legal agreement.

  • Example 1: Real Estate Purchase Agreement

    A contract for the sale of a house might state that the buyer agrees to pay "$10.00 and other good and valuable consideration" for the property. While the $10.00 is a nominal amount, the "other consideration" refers to the full, actual purchase price (e.g., $500,000), the buyer's promise to obtain a mortgage, and other terms and conditions detailed elsewhere in the agreement, all of which constitute the true exchange of value.

  • Example 2: Business Acquisition Deal

    When one company acquires another, the agreement might specify a cash payment of "$5,000,000 and other consideration." The "other consideration" could encompass a variety of valuable elements beyond the cash, such as shares in the acquiring company, assumption of the acquired company's debts, intellectual property rights, or agreements for key personnel to remain with the new entity, all contributing to the overall value of the transaction.

  • Example 3: Settlement Agreement

    In a legal dispute, a settlement agreement might state that one party agrees to pay a sum of money "and other consideration" to resolve the claim. The "other consideration" might include non-monetary terms, such as a promise to keep the settlement confidential, an agreement not to disparage the other party, or the return of certain property, all of which are valuable components of the resolution for the parties involved.