Legal Definitions - engrosser

An "engrosser" can refer to two distinct roles, one modern and one historical:

• 1. A person who prepares the final, official version of a legal document.

  In modern legal practice, an engrosser is someone responsible for meticulously preparing the definitive, formal copy of a legal document. This involves ensuring all details are accurate, the formatting is correct, and the document is ready for signature, filing, or official use. The goal is to create a clean, final version that accurately reflects the agreed-upon terms or court order.

  • Example 1: A paralegal at a law firm carefully reviews and formats the final draft of a complex commercial lease agreement, ensuring all clauses, dates, and party names are precisely stated and that the document is ready for the landlord and tenant to sign.

    Explanation: The paralegal acts as an engrosser by preparing the definitive, official version of the lease agreement for execution.

  • Example 2: A legal assistant in a court clerk's office meticulously assembles and certifies the final judgment in a civil case, ensuring all official seals, signatures, and endorsements are correctly placed before it is issued to the parties involved.

    Explanation: This assistant is engrossing the judgment by creating its official, final form for public record and distribution.

  • Example 3: A specialist in a patent law firm prepares the final, detailed application for a new invention, ensuring all technical specifications, claims, and legal language are perfectly aligned with the client's submission before it is filed with the patent office.

    Explanation: The specialist is engrossing the patent application by producing its complete, formal version for official submission.

• 2. (Historical) A person who buys large quantities of a commodity to control its price.

  Historically, an engrosser was an individual or entity that purchased a significant portion, often nearly all, of a particular commodity available in a market. The purpose was to gain control over the supply of that commodity, thereby creating an artificial scarcity and allowing the engrosser to dictate its market price. This practice was often viewed as exploitative and was sometimes illegal, as it could lead to unfair price increases for consumers.

  • Example 1: In the 18th century, a wealthy merchant bought up nearly all the available supply of grain in a particular region after a poor harvest, intending to sell it back to the local population at inflated prices during the winter.

    Explanation: The merchant acted as an engrosser by monopolizing the grain supply to manipulate its price for personal profit.

  • Example 2: A powerful trading company in the 19th century acquired vast quantities of imported tea, storing it in warehouses to create an artificial shortage in the market and force smaller retailers and consumers to pay significantly higher prices.

    Explanation: The company engrossed the tea market by controlling its supply to dictate prices and maximize profits.

  • Example 3: During a period of economic instability, a shrewd speculator systematically purchased almost all the available shares of a small, promising manufacturing company, aiming to gain a controlling interest and dictate the company's future operations and stock value.

    Explanation: By acquiring a dominant stake, the speculator engrossed the company's shares to control its market and influence its direction.