Legal Definitions - his

His is a possessive pronoun that indicates something belongs to a male person. Traditionally, and for a long period in legal and general writing, "his" was also used as a generic pronoun to refer to any person, regardless of their gender, intending to include both males and females. However, modern legal drafting and professional communication strongly emphasize gender-neutral language. As a result, "his" is now generally used only when the possessor is definitively male. When the gender of the person is unknown or when referring to all genders, drafters typically use alternative phrasing to ensure inclusivity.

• Example 1 (Traditional, Generic Use):

  An older employee handbook from the 1960s might state, "Every manager is responsible for the performance of his team."

  Explanation: In this context, "his" was used generically to refer to any manager, male or female. This illustrates the historical practice where "his" was understood to encompass all individuals in a particular role, even when the role could be filled by a person of any gender.

• Example 2 (Modern, Specific Male Use):

  A legal brief states, "Mr. Thompson presented his arguments to the court with compelling evidence."

  Explanation: Here, "his" is used appropriately in modern drafting because it clearly refers to a specific male individual, Mr. Thompson. The possessive pronoun directly corresponds to the identified male subject, aligning with contemporary gender-specific usage.

• Example 3 (Modern Avoidance for Gender Neutrality):

  A contemporary employment contract might state, "An applicant must submit their resume and cover letter," rather than "An applicant must submit his resume and cover letter."

  Explanation: This example demonstrates the modern preference for avoiding "his" when referring to an individual whose gender is unknown or when the statement applies to all genders. By using "their" (as a singular gender-neutral pronoun) or rephrasing the sentence, the drafter ensures the language is inclusive and gender-neutral, reflecting current best practices in legal and professional writing.