Legal Definitions - bilateral

Bilateral

In legal terms, bilateral describes an agreement, action, or relationship that involves and creates obligations or effects for two distinct parties or sides. It signifies a mutual commitment or impact, where both parties are bound by the terms or consequences.

• Example 1: An Extradition Treaty

  Imagine two countries, Country A and Country B, sign an extradition treaty. This treaty states that if a person commits a serious crime in Country A and then flees to Country B, Country B agrees to return that person to Country A for prosecution, and vice-versa. This is a bilateralagreement because it is made between exactly two nations, and both countries have specific, reciprocal duties and expectations under the treaty.

• Example 2: A Lease Agreement

  When a tenant signs a lease agreement with a landlord for an apartment, it is a bilateralcontract. The landlord is obligated to provide a habitable living space and allow the tenant quiet enjoyment of the property, while the tenant is obligated to pay rent on time and maintain the property according to the lease terms. Both parties have clear, enforceable duties and rights towards each other.

• Example 3: A Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)

  A software company might ask a potential business partner to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) before sharing sensitive project details. If the NDA specifies that both the software company and the potential partner agree not to reveal each other's confidential information shared during their discussions, it is a bilateral NDA. Both parties are mutually bound by the duty of confidentiality regarding the shared information.