Legal Definitions - provided

The term "provided" is often used in legal and formal contexts as a conjunction to introduce a condition or an exception.

It carries two primary meanings:

• 1. On the condition or understanding that: This usage introduces a prerequisite or a stipulation that must be met for something else to occur or be valid. It implies that an action or agreement is contingent upon a specific condition.
• Example 1: "The city council will approve the new park development, provided that the developers commit to preserving at least 20% of the natural green space."

  Explanation: Here, the city council's approval is conditional. The park development will only be approved if the developers agree to the specific condition of preserving a portion of the green space.

• Example 2: "Employees are eligible for a bonus at the end of the fiscal year, provided they have met all their performance targets."

  Explanation: This statement sets a clear condition for bonus eligibility. An employee will receive a bonus only if they have successfully achieved their performance targets.

• 2. Except that: In this context, "provided" introduces an exception to a general rule or statement. It indicates a specific circumstance where the general rule does not apply.
• Example 1: "All visitors must present a valid photo ID to enter the building, provided that minors accompanied by an adult are exempt from this requirement."

  Explanation: The general rule is that all visitors need a photo ID. However, the phrase "provided that" introduces an exception for minors who are with an adult, meaning they do not need to show ID.

• Example 2: "All new software installations require administrator approval, provided that routine security updates are automatically installed."

  Explanation: The general policy is that new software needs administrator approval. The term "provided that" highlights an exception for routine security updates, which are allowed to install without explicit approval.