Legal Definitions - whereat

Whereat is a formal term used to indicate either the specific point or direction toward which an action is directed, or the immediate consequence or result of a preceding event. It functions to connect an action to its target or a cause to its effect.

The term "whereat" is a formal word used in two primary ways:

• 1. At or Toward Which: It can refer to a specific point, place, or situation.
• 2. As a Result of Which; Whereupon: It can describe an event or action that immediately follows another as a direct consequence.

Here are some examples to illustrate its use:

• Example 1 (At or Toward Which):

  During the complex merger negotiations, the legal teams reached a specific clause in the acquisition agreement, whereat they had to decide on the final valuation of intellectual property assets.

  Explanation: In this context, "whereat" refers to the particular clause or point in the agreement *at which* a critical decision needed to be made regarding asset valuation.

• Example 2 (As a Result of Which; Whereupon):

  The plaintiff's attorney presented compelling new evidence during the trial, whereat the judge immediately called for a brief recess to allow both parties to review the implications.

  Explanation: Here, "whereat" indicates that the judge's decision to call a recess was a direct and immediate action taken *as a result of* the new evidence being presented.

• Example 3 (As a Result of Which; Whereupon):

  The city council voted unanimously to approve the controversial rezoning proposal, whereat a group of concerned residents immediately announced their intention to file an appeal.

  Explanation: This example uses "whereat" to show that the residents' announcement of an appeal was a direct and immediate consequence that occurred *as a result of* the city council's vote.