Legal Definitions - in terminis

The Latin phrase in terminis refers to something being stated directly, explicitly, and in precise terms, leaving no room for ambiguity or inference. It means that a particular condition, statement, or requirement is expressed exactly as it is meant to be understood, without needing further interpretation or implication.

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• Imagine a contract for a home renovation project. A clause states, "The contractor in terminis agrees to complete all work, including final inspections, by October 15th."

  This means the deadline is not open to interpretation or negotiation; it is directly and expressly written into the agreement. There's no room to argue that the deadline was implied or understood differently.

• Consider a last will and testament that includes the sentence, "I in terminis leave my entire collection of rare books to my alma mater, State University."

  This provision clearly and explicitly names the specific beneficiary (State University) and the specific asset (the entire collection of rare books). There is no need to infer the testator's wishes; they are stated in express terms.

• A company's employee handbook might contain a rule that says, "Employees are in terminis forbidden from accessing personal social media accounts during working hours."

  This rule is stated directly and unequivocally. It leaves no doubt that using social media for personal reasons during work hours is expressly prohibited, rather than merely discouraged or implied to be inappropriate.