Legal Definitions - scroll

In legal contexts, the term scroll can refer to several different things:

• It can mean an official list or register, often a continuous record of items or events. It can also refer to a preliminary draft or outline of a document that is not yet finalized.

  • Example 1 (Official Record): A court clerk might maintain a "scroll of judgments" for the day, which is an official running list of all the rulings and decisions made by judges in that courthouse on a particular date. This record serves as a formal accounting of judicial actions.

    Explanation: Here, "scroll" refers to a formal, continuous list or register of legal events, much like an ancient rolled document would contain a sequence of information.

  • Example 2 (Preliminary Draft): Before drafting a complex legal brief, an attorney might create a "scroll" of key arguments, relevant case citations, and statutory provisions. This initial outline helps organize thoughts and structure the final document, but it is understood to be an incomplete version requiring further development.

    Explanation: In this scenario, "scroll" denotes a preliminary or unrefined version of a legal document, serving as a foundational outline before the complete and formal text is prepared.

• Additionally, scroll can specifically refer to a written mark, often a flourish or a simple character, placed next to a signature on a document to serve as a substitute for a formal seal.

  • Example 3 (Substitute for a Seal): In some jurisdictions, particularly historically or where formal wax seals are no longer strictly required, a party signing a contract might draw a small, decorative loop or the word "(Seal)" next to their signature. This handwritten mark, known as a "scroll," legally signifies the intent to execute the document "under seal," which can sometimes affect the statute of limitations or the enforceability of the agreement.

    Explanation: This example illustrates "scroll" as a specific handwritten symbol that carries the legal weight of a formal seal, indicating a party's solemn intent to be bound by the document.