Legal Definitions - entire day

The legal term entire day refers to a full 24-hour period, typically from midnight to midnight, or a complete business day, depending on the specific legal context, statute, or agreement. It emphasizes that the obligation or right extends throughout the entirety of the day, rather than just a portion of it.

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• Example 1: Filing Deadlines

  Imagine a court order states that a legal brief must be filed by the "end of the business day on Friday." If the court later clarifies that the deadline is for the entire day Friday, it means the filing can be submitted anytime up until 11:59 PM on Friday, even if the physical courthouse closes earlier. This ensures that electronic filings or other methods of submission are valid for the full 24-hour period of that day.

• Example 2: Rental Agreements

  Consider a car rental agreement that specifies a vehicle is rented for an "entire day." If a customer picks up the car at 10:00 AM on Monday and the agreement states the rental is for one "entire day," they are typically expected to return the car by 10:00 AM on Tuesday, or sometimes by the end of the business day on Tuesday, depending on the specific terms. The "entire day" ensures they have the benefit of the full 24-hour period or the full operational day as agreed, not just the hours remaining after pickup on the first day.

• Example 3: Notice Periods

  A contract might require a party to provide "three days' notice" before terminating an agreement. If the notice is given on Monday, and the contract specifies that each day must be an "entire day," then Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday would each count as a full day of notice. The termination would then typically become effective at the start of Friday, ensuring that the recipient had the benefit of three complete 24-hour periods to prepare or respond.