Legal Definitions - forthwith

In legal terms, forthwith means that an action must be taken promptly, without unreasonable delay, and as quickly as is practical given the specific circumstances. It emphasizes urgency and diligence, though it doesn't always demand instantaneous action; rather, it requires compliance as soon as it can reasonably be accomplished.

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• Emergency Court Order: Imagine a court issues an emergency order requiring a company to stop dumping waste into a local river. The order states that the company must cease the polluting activity "forthwith." This doesn't necessarily mean the company must stop production in the exact second the order is received, but it demands immediate and diligent steps to halt the discharge. The company cannot wait until the next business day or take several weeks to plan; they must mobilize resources and implement the necessary changes as quickly as humanly possible to comply with the court's directive.

  This example illustrates "forthwith" as requiring action with extreme urgency, acknowledging that some logistical steps might be involved, but emphasizing that these steps must be taken without any unnecessary delay.

• Contractual Obligation: A lease agreement for a commercial property states that if a tenant causes damage to the premises, they must repair it "forthwith." If a tenant accidentally breaks a large window, they are expected to arrange for its repair or replacement very quickly. They wouldn't be expected to have a glass repair service on call 24/7, but they couldn't wait for several weeks or months. They would need to contact a contractor and initiate the repair process promptly, typically within a few days, depending on the availability of materials and labor.

  Here, "forthwith" means promptly and without undue delay, allowing for the practical time needed to organize a repair, but still demanding that the issue be addressed as a high priority.

• Regulatory Reporting: A financial regulatory body requires that any licensed investment advisor who becomes aware of a significant data breach affecting client information must report it to the authority "forthwith." This means the advisor should notify the regulatory body as soon as they have confirmed the breach and gathered initial relevant details, typically within a day or two, rather than waiting until a full investigation is complete or until their next scheduled reporting period.

  This example demonstrates "forthwith" as requiring prompt notification, allowing for the practical time it takes to confirm information and prepare a communication, but certainly not permitting a lengthy delay in reporting a critical event.