Legal Definitions - purport

Purport can be used in legal contexts as both a noun and a verb.

As a noun, the purport refers to the main idea, meaning, or substance conveyed by a document or statement. It's what the document or statement essentially communicates.

As a verb, to purport means to claim or profess to be something, often implying that the claim might be false, questionable, or not fully substantiated. It suggests that something appears to be a certain way, even if its true nature is different.

Here are some examples:

• Imagine a letter sent to a homeowner demanding payment for an unsolicited service. The letter purports to be an official invoice from a legitimate utility company, but it is actually a fraudulent attempt to trick the recipient into paying for something they don't owe.

  This example illustrates the verb form of "purport," where the letter claims or presents itself as a valid invoice, even though it is deceptive.

• In a complex real estate contract, a specific clause might state that "all fixtures attached to the property shall remain with the property upon sale." The purport of this clause is to ensure that items like built-in cabinets, light fixtures, and appliances are included in the sale and not removed by the seller.

  Here, "purport" is used as a noun, referring to the essential meaning or intent conveyed by that particular section of the legal document.

• During a security check, an individual presented an identification card that purported to be a valid government-issued driver's license. However, upon closer inspection, security personnel noticed inconsistencies in the font and holograms, indicating it was a counterfeit.

  This example uses the verb form, showing how the ID card presented itself or claimed to be a genuine document, despite its fraudulent nature.