Legal Definitions - pour acquit

Pour acquit is a French legal phrase that translates to "for acquittance" or "for discharge." It is a traditional notation made by a creditor on a receipt, invoice, or other payment document when they sign it. By adding "pour acquit," the creditor formally acknowledges that they have received payment and that the corresponding debt or obligation has been settled or discharged.

Here are some examples to illustrate the use of "pour acquit":

• Example 1: Rent Payment
  Imagine a tenant pays their monthly rent to their landlord. The landlord, upon receiving the cash or bank transfer, issues a written receipt to the tenant. On this receipt, next to their signature, the landlord might write "pour acquit." This signifies that the landlord has received the rent payment and acknowledges that the tenant's obligation for that month's rent is fully discharged.

• Example 2: Freelance Service Invoice
  A freelance web developer completes a project for a client and sends an invoice for their services. Once the client makes the full payment, the developer might return a copy of the invoice, marked "Paid," with their signature and the phrase "pour acquit" written alongside it. This indicates that the developer has received the full amount due for their services and the client's financial obligation for that specific project is now settled.

• Example 3: Loan Repayment Confirmation
  Consider a small business that has repaid the final installment of a short-term loan to a private lender. When the lender provides a formal document confirming the full repayment and closure of the loan account, they might sign this document and add "pour acquit." This notation serves as a clear legal declaration that the entire loan debt has been satisfied and the borrower is no longer obligated to the lender for that specific loan.