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LSDefine

Simple English definitions for legal terms

plain meaning

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A quick definition of plain meaning:

Plain meaning refers to the straightforward and obvious interpretation of words or statements, without considering any hidden or implied meanings. It is the meaning that a reasonable person would understand from a written or spoken communication. This is important in legal contexts, where contracts and other documents are interpreted based on their plain meaning, rather than the subjective understanding of the parties involved. Essentially, plain meaning is what something says on the surface, without any need for further interpretation or analysis.

A more thorough explanation:

Definition: Plain meaning refers to the sense of anything, especially words, that is conveyed or intended to be conveyed by a written or oral statement or other communicative act. It includes a mistaken but reasonable understanding of a communication and is often held to its objective meaning, which is considered to have had reason to know, even if the party subjectively understood or intended something else. Plain meaning is attributed to a document by giving the words their ordinary sense, without referring to extrinsic indications of the author's intent.

  • If a contract states that a payment is due on the 1st of the month, the plain meaning is that the payment is due on the first day of each month.
  • If a law states that it is illegal to "drive a vehicle on a sidewalk," the plain meaning is that it is illegal to operate a vehicle on a pedestrian walkway.

These examples illustrate how plain meaning is determined by the ordinary sense of the words used in a document or communication, without considering any additional context or intent. Even if a party subjectively understood or intended something else, the plain meaning of the words used will be held to its objective meaning.

plain-language movement | plain-meaning rule

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General chat about the legal profession.
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MIAMI A
[] AromaticTroubledDormouse
20:55
How does one know if they are UR1 or UR2?
[] AromaticTroubledDormouse
20:56
CONGRATS MACAQUE!
TY
got a random stanford email and almost had a heart attack
ALSO CONGRATS!
Congrats1!
21:15
Miami A, yall I'm so excited I could cry.
21:15
Feel like I can finally stop holding my breath!! Whew!!!
[] baddestbunny
22:16
every time I get accosted by a strange man who follows me around because my male coworkers were too busy talking to walk me back to my car I get closer to saying we need to bring back traditional gender roles
Dkk
22:32
Nice! @Macaque
Dkk
22:32
@Aromatic, Have to guess.
Dkk
22:33
That sucks @Bunny do you have to go to the hospital?
[] baddestbunny
22:40
I said accosted not assaulted
23:35
guys. my notre dame address just went long is this good or bad
1a2b3c4d26z
23:37
Oooooo me too
23:37
omg is this good or bad
Dkk
23:47
Idk if gender roles are gunna fix that then.
23:49
it looks like most people who applied in october last cycle didn't get a decision until january... does it even mean anything that our addresses went long??
hows ED 2 compared to ED 1?
Dkk
0:10
No idea
windyMagician
0:34
reporting live to say my ndls address also went long
does it mean anything ^
Dkk
2:21
NDLS and Fordham took a very long time last year. It's good info for people to know.
[] baddestbunny
4:29
let’s get after it boys and girls
Dkk
5:21
I gtg to bed soon.
Dkk
5:22
Big day today. Gunna be a crazy one. I will sleep through the first half.
good morning lsd it is 5 am EST
also jazzy my ndls address went long ages ago i sadly do not think it means anything
my stanford address also went long LOL i think at most it's an indicator it's under review
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