Legal Definitions - primer

In a legal context, primer refers to something that is first, primary, or holds a position of initial importance or priority. It often denotes a foundational right, a first choice, or a superior claim that takes precedence over others.

• Example 1: First Right of Refusal
  Imagine a situation where a property owner decides to sell a piece of land. A neighboring farmer, who has always used a path across that land, might have a contractual agreement granting them a "primer" right of first refusal. This means the farmer gets the first opportunity to purchase the land at the offered price before it can be sold to any other interested buyer.

  How it illustrates the term: This example shows "primer" as a first choice or primary opportunity. The farmer's right is activated first, giving them priority over other potential purchasers.

• Example 2: Primary Jurisdiction
  Consider a dispute involving a complex technical issue, such as the safety standards of a new medical device. A specialized regulatory agency, like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), might have "primer" jurisdiction over such matters. This means that any legal challenge or question regarding the device's safety must first be brought before and reviewed by the FDA before a court can typically hear the case.

  How it illustrates the term: Here, "primer" signifies the primary or first authority that must address the issue. The agency's review is a necessary initial step before judicial intervention.

• Example 3: First Priority Lien
  A small business takes out a loan to purchase new machinery, and the lender secures the loan by placing a "primer" lien on that machinery. If the business later defaults on its payments and has multiple creditors, the lender with the "primer" lien will have the first claim to the proceeds from the sale of that machinery, ahead of any other creditors whose liens were registered later.

  How it illustrates the term: This demonstrates "primer" as indicating first or primary priority in terms of a legal claim. The "primer" lien holder's right to the asset takes precedence over subsequent claims.