Legal Definitions - intend

To intend, in a legal context, refers to having a specific purpose or goal in mind when performing an action, or understanding and accepting the likely consequences that will result from one's actions. It can also describe the meaning or purpose that parties attribute to a document or agreement.

• Example 1 (Specific Purpose or Goal):

  A chef meticulously plans and executes a complex recipe for a culinary competition, aiming to win the grand prize. Every step, from ingredient selection to plating, is performed with the clear intent to create a dish that will impress the judges and secure victory.

  Explanation: This example illustrates "intend" as having a fixed purpose or desired objective. The chef's actions are all directed towards achieving a specific, pre-determined goal: winning the competition.

• Example 2 (Foreseeing Consequences):

  A person throws a heavy object from a bridge onto a busy highway below. While they might claim they didn't *want* to hit a car, a court could find that they intended the harm because a reasonable person would foresee that throwing a heavy object onto a highway would very likely cause damage or injury to vehicles or their occupants.

  Explanation: Here, "intend" refers to contemplating that the usual and probable consequences of one's act will follow. Even if the specific outcome (e.g., hitting a particular car) wasn't the primary desire, the act itself, coupled with the foreseeable risk, demonstrates an intent to cause harm.

• Example 3 (Meaning or Purpose in Agreement):

  Two business partners draft a partnership agreement that includes a clause stating, "The parties intend for all major decisions to be made by unanimous consent."

  Explanation: This demonstrates "intend" as signifying or meaning. The clause clarifies the shared understanding and purpose of the partners regarding how critical choices will be made, ensuring that neither partner can unilaterally make significant changes without the other's explicit agreement.