Legal Definitions - information and belief, on

When a statement is made "on information and belief," it means that the person making the statement (the declarant) does not have direct, firsthand knowledge of the facts being asserted. Instead, their assertion is based on information they have received from other sources, which they genuinely believe to be true and accurate.

This phrase is commonly used in legal documents, such as court pleadings or affidavits, to indicate that while the individual signing the document hasn't personally witnessed or verified every detail, they have good reason to trust the information they are presenting to the court or other parties.

• Example 1: Legal Complaint

  In a lawsuit, a plaintiff's attorney might write in the complaint: "Plaintiff alleges, on information and belief, that the defendant company knowingly sold defective products to consumers."

  Explanation: The attorney personally did not witness the manufacturing process or the sale of the defective products. However, their client (the plaintiff) has provided them with evidence, documents, and testimony from other affected individuals, leading the attorney to genuinely believe the allegation is true and therefore appropriate to include in the legal filing.

• Example 2: Affidavit in a Family Law Case

  A parent filing an affidavit in a child custody dispute might state: "On information and belief, the other parent has moved to a new address outside the agreed-upon geographical area, impacting the children's school district."

  Explanation: The parent has not personally visited the new address or observed the other parent moving. However, they might have received this information from a mutual friend, a school administrator, or seen mail forwarded, leading them to believe it's true and relevant for the court to consider in the custody arrangement.

• Example 3: Corporate Regulatory Filing

  An executive signing a company's regulatory disclosure might include a statement like: "The company believes, on information and belief, that a competitor is infringing on its recently patented software technology."

  Explanation: The executive has not personally conducted a detailed technical analysis of the competitor's software. Instead, their legal team, research and development department, and external consultants have provided comprehensive reports and analysis that strongly suggest patent infringement, leading the executive to assert this belief in the official filing to regulators and investors.