Legal Definitions - on or about

The phrase on or about is a legal term used to indicate an approximate date or location, rather than an exact one. It provides a reasonable degree of certainty without requiring absolute precision, which can be particularly useful when precise details are not known or are not critical to a legal claim or document.

When referring to a date, "on or about" means generally around the specified time, allowing for a variance of a few days before or after the stated date. It signals that the event likely occurred close to that date, but the exact day might not be precisely known or remembered.

When referring to a place, "on or about" means within the general vicinity or boundaries of the specified location. It covers the area directly associated with the place mentioned, but not outside of it.

This phrase is commonly found in legal complaints, contracts, and other documents where providing an exact date or location might be difficult to prove or could be easily challenged, but a general timeframe or area is sufficient for the legal purpose.

• Example 1 (Contract - Place): A commercial lease agreement might state, "The tenant agrees to maintain the landscaping on or about the leased premises." This means the tenant is responsible for the upkeep of the lawn, garden beds, and immediate outdoor areas directly associated with the property, without needing to specify every square foot. It clarifies that the responsibility extends to the entire property's exterior but not to neighboring properties.
• Example 2 (Court Filing - Date): In a civil lawsuit, a plaintiff might allege, "The defendant breached the contract on or about June 10, 2023, by failing to deliver the promised goods." This indicates that the plaintiff believes the breach occurred around that date, perhaps a day or two before or after, but the precise calendar day is not the central issue of the claim. It provides sufficient notice to the defendant about the timeframe of the alleged breach.
• Example 3 (Police Report - Date and Place): A witness providing a statement to the police might report, "I observed the suspicious vehicle on or about 8:30 PM on or about the intersection of First Street and Main Avenue last Tuesday." Here, "on or about 8:30 PM" allows for a slight margin of error in the witness's memory of the exact time, while "on or about the intersection" refers to the immediate area where the two streets cross, rather than a specific building number or a block away. Both uses convey approximate information that is still valuable for investigation.