Legal Definitions - SS

In legal documents, "SS" is an abbreviation that can have a few different meanings, most commonly referring to "sections" or, less frequently, to "subscripsi" (meaning "signed below").

When used to mean sections, it typically appears in citations to indicate specific parts of a statute, regulation, or other legal text. It functions similarly to the section symbol (§) or a double section symbol (§§) when referring to multiple sections.

When used to mean subscripsi, it indicates that something was "signed below" or "subscribed." This usage is less common in modern legal writing but can still be found in certain formal documents, particularly in the context of affidavits or notary acknowledgments, where it emphasizes that the statement or oath was made by the person whose signature follows.

• Referring to Sections in a Statute:

  Imagine a lawyer citing a state law that governs environmental protection. They might write, "The permit requirements are outlined in State Environmental Code, Title 12, Chapter 3, ss. 4-7."

  This example illustrates "SS" being used to denote "sections." The lawyer is referring to sections 4 through 7 of Chapter 3, indicating specific parts of the environmental code that contain the relevant permit requirements.

• Referring to Sections in a Regulation:

  A business owner is reviewing federal regulations regarding workplace safety. A legal memo might state, "Compliance with the new safety standards requires adherence to OSHA Regulation 1910.1200, ss. (a) through (d)."

  This example demonstrates "SS" indicating "sections" within a federal regulation. It directs the business owner to specific subsections (a) through (d) of the cited OSHA regulation, which detail the new safety standards.

• Referring to "Signed Below" in an Affidavit:

  Consider an affidavit, which is a sworn written statement. The introductory part might read, "State of New York, County of Kings, ss." followed by the affiant's statement and then their signature and a notary's acknowledgment.

  This example shows "SS" used in the sense of "subscripsi" or "signed below." In this context, often called a "venue," it traditionally signifies that the statement was sworn to or attested to in the specified jurisdiction by the person whose signature appears below the statement, emphasizing the formal act of signing and swearing.