Legal Definitions - front

The term "front" has several distinct meanings in a legal or formal context:

• 1. The visible or primary side of a property or structure.

  This refers to the portion of a building or land that is most prominent, contains the main entrance, or faces a public area like a street, lake, or open space.

  • Example: A new restaurant sought a prime location with a wide front facing the bustling town square to maximize visibility for its outdoor seating area.

    Explanation: Here, "front" refers to the side of the property that is most open to public view and interaction, which is crucial for a business's visibility.

  • Example: Local zoning laws often dictate specific setback requirements for the front of a residential lot, ensuring houses are a certain distance from the street.

    Explanation: In this context, "front" denotes the side of the land parcel that borders the public road, subject to specific regulatory controls.

• 2. An entity or individual used to conceal the true identity or activities of another.

  This meaning describes a person, group, or organization that appears legitimate but is actually controlled by another party, often to hide illicit or undisclosed operations.

  • Example: Investigators discovered that the seemingly legitimate import-export company was merely a front for an international smuggling ring, used to move illegal goods across borders.

    Explanation: The import-export company served as a deceptive facade, hiding the criminal activities of the smuggling ring.

  • Example: The shell corporation was established as a financial front to obscure the true source of campaign donations, making it difficult to trace who was funding the political advertisements.

    Explanation: The shell corporation was used to conceal the actual donors, preventing transparency in political financing.

• 3. A political association or coalition.

  This refers to a unified group or alliance of different political parties, organizations, or movements that come together to achieve a common political objective.

  • Example: Several environmental advocacy groups and smaller progressive parties formed a "Green Action Front" to collectively lobby for stronger climate change legislation.

    Explanation: This illustrates a coalition of distinct groups uniting under a common banner to exert political influence.

  • Example: In the lead-up to the election, various opposition parties created a "Democratic Unity Front" to present a united challenge against the incumbent government.

    Explanation: Here, "front" signifies an alliance of different political entities working together towards a shared electoral goal.