Legal Definitions - several

In legal contexts, the term "several" can have a few distinct meanings, ranging from its common everyday usage to a very specific and important legal concept related to individual responsibility.

1. More than a few, but not many

• Definition: This usage of "several" refers to a quantity that is more than two or three, but not a large or indefinite number. It indicates a moderate amount.

• Example 1: During the discovery phase of the lawsuit, the attorneys reviewed several boxes of financial records.

  Explanation: This means the legal team examined a moderate number of boxes of documents—more than just a couple, but not an overwhelming quantity that would be described as "many" or "hundreds."

• Example 2: The judge issued several procedural orders before the trial could begin.

  Explanation: This indicates that the judge issued multiple, distinct directives to manage the case, but not an excessive number. It suggests a handful of specific instructions.

2. Separate, Individual, or Distinct (especially concerning obligations or liability)

• Definition: This is a crucial legal meaning. When parties are "severally" obligated or liable, it means each party is individually and separately responsible for their own portion, or sometimes even the entire obligation, independent of the others. This is in contrast to "joint" liability, where parties are collectively responsible, or "joint and several" liability, where they are both collectively and individually responsible.

• Example 1 (Contractual Obligation): A contract for a group project states that each team member is severally obligated to complete their assigned tasks.

  Explanation: This means that if one team member fails to complete their part, the others are not automatically responsible for that specific task. Each member's obligation is distinct and individual, and they are held accountable only for their own assigned duties.

• Example 2 (Liability for Damages): In a personal injury case, the court found that two defendants were severally liable for the plaintiff's damages, with Defendant A responsible for 60% and Defendant B for 40%.

  Explanation: This ruling means the plaintiff can only collect 60% of the total damages from Defendant A and 40% from Defendant B. If Defendant A cannot pay their share, Defendant B is not legally required to cover Defendant A's portion, as their liabilities are separate and distinct.

• Example 3 (Property Rights): A will specifies that three siblings will receive several parcels of land, each clearly defined and distinct.

  Explanation: This indicates that each sibling inherits their own individual and separate piece of land, rather than all three owning a single, undivided property together. Their ownership interests are distinct from one another.

3. Different or Various

• Definition: This usage of "several" indicates a range of different kinds or types of things.

• Example 1: The new legislation introduced several new regulations affecting environmental protection.

  Explanation: This means the legislation brought forth various distinct rules and guidelines related to environmental protection, not just one or two, and they likely cover different aspects of the issue.

• Example 2: During the appeal process, the defense presented several arguments challenging the lower court's decision.

  Explanation: This implies that the defense put forward a variety of distinct legal points or reasons to argue against the previous ruling, each approaching the issue from a different angle.