Legal Definitions - expressed

Expressed refers to something that is clearly and directly stated, either verbally or in writing. When something is "expressed," its meaning or intent is made explicit, leaving no room for assumptions, guesswork, or hidden meanings. It means the information is communicated in plain terms, rather than being implied or inferred.

• Example 1: Lease Agreement Terms

  A tenant signs a lease agreement for an apartment. The contract expressly states that the tenant is responsible for paying all utility bills, including water, electricity, and gas, in addition to the monthly rent. The lease also expressly prohibits subletting the apartment to another person without the landlord's written consent.

  This illustrates "expressed" because the responsibilities and restrictions are directly written into the agreement. The tenant cannot later claim they assumed the landlord would cover utilities or that subletting was implicitly allowed; the terms are explicitly declared.

• Example 2: Company Policy

  A technology company has an employee handbook that expressly outlines its policy on intellectual property. It states that any software code developed by an employee during work hours, using company equipment, or within the scope of their employment, is the sole property of the company. It also expressly forbids employees from sharing confidential client information with outside parties.

  Here, "expressed" means the company's ownership of intellectual property and the prohibition on sharing confidential data are clearly and directly stated in the policy. Employees cannot argue they were unaware or that these conditions were merely implied.

• Example 3: Medical Consent

  Before undergoing a surgical procedure, a patient is required to provide expressed consent. This involves signing a detailed form after a doctor has explained the procedure, potential risks, benefits, and alternative treatments. The patient's signature on the form directly indicates their understanding and agreement to proceed.

  This demonstrates "expressed" because the patient's agreement is not assumed or inferred from their presence at the hospital. Instead, their consent is directly and explicitly stated through a signed document, confirming their informed decision.