Legal Definitions - date certain

A date certain refers to a specific, unambiguous calendar day that has been formally established or agreed upon. It signifies a precise point in time, rather than a general period or an estimated timeframe. This term is frequently used in legal contexts to denote a fixed day for an event, obligation, or deadline, particularly when specified within a legal document, contract, or court order.

• Example 1: Real Estate Transaction

  Imagine a couple purchasing a new home. Their purchase agreement specifies that the closing of the sale, where ownership is officially transferred, will occur on "September 10th." This is a date certain because it is a precise, agreed-upon day for a critical event in the transaction, formally documented in their contract. It's not "sometime in September" but a specific calendar day.

• Example 2: Court Appearance

  A person receives a summons requiring them to appear in court for a hearing. The summons clearly states that the individual must be present on "November 5th at 10:00 AM." This mandated day for their appearance is a date certain, as it is a specific, non-negotiable day established by the court for a legal proceeding.

• Example 3: Business Contract Deadline

  A marketing agency signs a contract with a client to design and launch a new website. The contract stipulates that the final website must be delivered and fully operational by "January 31st of next year." This is a date certain because it represents a precise, agreed-upon deadline for the completion of the project and fulfillment of the contractual obligation, rather than an approximate timeframe.