Simple English definitions for legal terms
Read a random definition: legal opinion
On the record means that something has been officially recorded as evidence in a legal proceeding, like a trial or deposition. It can also mean that a statement is intended to be quoted or attributed to someone. When used before a noun, it should be hyphenated as "on-the-record." The opposite of on the record is "off the record."
Definition: When a statement, comment, or testimony is recorded as official evidence of a proceeding, such as a trial or deposition, it is said to be "on the record." It can also refer to a statement that is intended for quotation or attribution.
For example:
In both examples, the statements are being recorded and can be used as official evidence or quoted in news articles. The phrase "on the record" is often used to distinguish between statements that can be attributed to a specific person and those that cannot.