Legal Definitions - save

In legal contexts, the word "save" carries several distinct meanings, often referring to the preservation, reservation, or avoidance of something important.

• To preserve from danger or loss

  This meaning refers to protecting something valuable, such as rights, assets, or evidence, from being lost, damaged, or invalidated.

  • Example 1: A company implements robust cybersecurity measures to save its proprietary customer data from potential breaches and theft.

    Explanation 1: Here, "save" refers to actively protecting sensitive information, which has significant legal value and potential liability if lost, from harm.

  • Example 2: During a natural disaster, a law firm quickly digitizes and backs up all client files off-site to save them from physical destruction.

    Explanation 2: This illustrates "saving" critical legal documents and records from physical loss, ensuring their continued availability and integrity for legal proceedings.

• To set aside or accumulate

  This meaning refers to setting aside, accumulating, or reserving something, often funds or resources, for a specific future purpose or contingency.

  • Example 1: A court orders a defendant to save a certain amount of their income each month into an escrow account to cover potential future damages awarded to the plaintiff.

    Explanation 1: This demonstrates "saving" funds by setting them aside specifically to meet a future legal obligation or judgment.

  • Example 2: An executor of an estate must save sufficient assets from the deceased's property to cover all outstanding debts and taxes before distributing the remainder to heirs.

    Explanation 2: Here, "saving" means reserving a portion of the estate's value to ensure all legal and financial obligations are met prior to final distribution.

• To suspend or delay

  In legal terms, "to save" can mean to suspend, delay, or prevent the immediate operation or effect of a legal process, deadline, or rule.

  • Example 1: A judge grants a motion to save the enforcement of a judgment, allowing the losing party more time to appeal before the judgment takes effect.

    Explanation 1: This shows "saving" the immediate impact of a legal decision by temporarily suspending its enforcement.

  • Example 2: A new legislative act includes a clause to save the application of certain regulations for small businesses for a period of two years, giving them time to adapt.

    Explanation 2: This illustrates "saving" businesses from immediate compliance by delaying the effective date of new rules.

• To reserve or exempt

  This meaning signifies the act of reserving, excepting, or exempting a specific right, condition, or provision from a broader agreement or rule.

  • Example 1: In a contract for the sale of land, the seller includes a clause to save their right to access a specific portion of the property for hunting purposes.

    Explanation 1: This demonstrates "saving" a particular right by explicitly reserving it from the general transfer of property ownership.

  • Example 2: A new zoning ordinance is passed, but it includes a grandfather clause to save the existing non-conforming uses of certain properties, exempting them from immediate compliance.

    Explanation 2: Here, "saving" means exempting specific existing situations from the application of a new rule, allowing them to continue under previous conditions.

• To lessen or avoid

  This meaning refers to preventing, reducing, or avoiding a cost, expense, or resource expenditure, often through strategic legal action or planning.

  • Example 1: A company opts for arbitration instead of litigation to save significant legal fees and court costs associated with a lengthy trial.

    Explanation 1: This illustrates "saving" expenses by choosing an alternative dispute resolution method that is less costly than traditional court proceedings.

  • Example 2: By carefully structuring their will and estate plan, an individual can save their heirs from substantial inheritance taxes and probate delays.

    Explanation 2: This shows how proactive legal planning can "save" future costs and complexities for beneficiaries.