Legal Definitions - notification

Notification refers to the formal or legal process of informing someone about a significant fact, action, or intention. It also describes the state of having been officially or legally made aware of such information. For notification to occur, a party must either be directly informed, or circumstances must exist where they are legally presumed to know, or an action must be taken that, by law, has the same legal effect as direct knowledge.

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• Example 1: Landlord-Tenant Agreement

  A landlord sends a certified letter to a tenant stating that their monthly rent will increase by 5% starting in three months, as permitted by their lease agreement and local housing laws.

  How this illustrates notification: This is a clear example of notification because the landlord is formally communicating a legally relevant fact (a rent increase) and an action (when it will take effect) to the tenant. The use of a certified letter ensures there is a record of this formal communication, which is important for legal purposes, establishing that the tenant has been properly informed.

• Example 2: Business Contract Dispute

  A construction company sends a written notice to a client, informing them that due to a severe shortage of materials, they will be unable to complete a project by the original deadline, citing a force majeure clause in their contract.

  How this illustrates notification: This constitutes notification because the construction company is formally announcing a legally relevant fact (material shortage impacting the schedule) and its intent (delay in completion) to the client. This formal communication is crucial for invoking specific clauses within their contract and managing expectations, potentially mitigating legal disputes over the delay.

• Example 3: Public Health Advisory

  A local health department issues a public alert through news outlets and social media, advising residents to boil their drinking water due to a contamination issue in the municipal water supply.

  How this illustrates notification: This is an example of notification because the health department is formally communicating a critical, legally relevant fact (water contamination) and a necessary action (boiling water) to the public. While not directed at a single individual, this broad public announcement serves as official notification, placing a legal duty on residents to be aware and act accordingly for their safety.