Legal Definitions - discrete

Discrete refers to something that is individually separate, distinct, and identifiable from other things. It emphasizes that an item, issue, or component can be clearly distinguished and considered on its own, without being merged or confused with others.

• Example 1: Estate Planning and Assets
  A will might specify the distribution of several discrete assets. For instance, a testator might leave their antique coin collection to one heir, their investment portfolio to another, and their primary residence to a third.

  Explanation: Each of these—the coin collection, the investment portfolio, and the primary residence—is a separate and distinct item of property, or a "discrete" asset, that can be individually identified and bequeathed. They are not merged into a single, undifferentiated pool of assets.

• Example 2: Legal Claims in a Lawsuit
  In a lawsuit, a plaintiff might bring multiple discrete causes of action against a defendant. For example, a business owner might sue a former employee for both breach of a non-compete agreement and for theft of trade secrets.

  Explanation: Even though these actions involve the same parties and potentially related events, "breach of a non-compete agreement" and "theft of trade secrets" are two separate and distinct legal claims. Each requires different elements of proof and legal arguments, making them discrete legal issues.

• Example 3: Regulatory Compliance and Records
  A government regulation might require companies to maintain discrete records for different types of transactions. For instance, a financial institution must keep separate records for customer deposits, loan applications, and suspicious activity reports.

  Explanation: The regulation mandates that these record types are kept individually separate and distinct from one another. They cannot be commingled or combined into a single, general record-keeping system, ensuring each category of transaction can be reviewed and audited independently.