Simple English definitions for legal terms
Read a random definition: willful, continued, and obstinate desertion
Term: GERMANE
Definition: Germane means that something is relevant or important to the topic being discussed. For example, if we are talking about dogs, information about cats would not be germane to the conversation. In a formal setting like a meeting or debate, only ideas that are germane to the topic at hand can be discussed or added to the conversation.
Definition: Relevant; pertinent.
Example 1: The evidence presented in court was not germane to the case being heard.
Example 2: During a debate, only arguments that are germane to the topic at hand should be considered.
The word "germane" is used to describe something that is directly related to the matter being discussed or considered. In the first example, the evidence presented in court was not relevant to the case, so it was not germane. In the second example, only arguments that are directly related to the topic being debated should be considered, anything else would not be germane.