Legal Definitions - ETC.

ETC. is an abbreviation for ET CETERA, a Latin phrase meaning "and other things" or "and so forth." It is used to indicate that a list of items is not exhaustive and that other similar items are implied without being explicitly stated.

While often used in everyday language, legal professionals generally prefer to avoid "etc." in formal documents like contracts or statutes due to its inherent imprecision, which could lead to ambiguity or disputes. However, it might appear in less formal legal communications, notes, or internal memos where the context makes the implied items clear.

• Example 1: Internal Memo for Document Collection

  A senior attorney sends an internal memo to a junior associate stating, "Please gather all relevant financial records for the client, including bank statements, tax returns, investment portfolios, etc., for the past five years."

  Explanation: Here, "etc." indicates that while bank statements, tax returns, and investment portfolios are specifically mentioned, the associate should also look for other similar financial documents that might be relevant, such as loan applications, credit card statements, or property deeds, even though they weren't explicitly listed. The context of "financial records" guides what "other things" are implied.

• Example 2: Preliminary Discussion of Property Division

  During an initial consultation, a lawyer might tell a divorcing client, "We'll need to list all marital assets, such as the house, cars, furniture, jewelry, etc., to ensure a fair division."

  Explanation: In this preliminary discussion, "etc." serves as a shorthand to convey that the list of assets (house, cars, furniture, jewelry) is not exhaustive. It implies that other valuable items acquired during the marriage, like bank accounts, retirement funds, art collections, or business interests, should also be considered and included in the full inventory, even if not named at that moment.

• Example 3: Scope of a Research Request

  A paralegal receives a request from an attorney to "research case law regarding contract breaches, specifically focusing on issues like non-performance, late delivery, defective goods, etc., in commercial transactions."

  Explanation: The "etc." here signals that the paralegal's research should not be limited only to non-performance, late delivery, and defective goods. It suggests that other common forms of contract breach in commercial transactions, such as repudiation, material misrepresentation, or failure to pay, should also be included in the scope of their legal research, as they are similar in nature to the examples provided.