What Does “Hereinafter” Mean in a Contract?
A term meaning "from this point forward in the document," used to introduce defined terms or shortened names for parties.
Detailed Explanation
"Hereinafter" is used to establish how something will be referred to for the rest of the contract. When you see "ABC Corporation (hereinafter 'Company')," it means that everywhere else in the document, "Company" refers to ABC Corporation.
This convention keeps contracts readable by allowing short names instead of repeating full legal names. It's essentially creating a nickname that has legal meaning within the document.
Example in a Contract
“This Agreement is entered into by ABC Corporation, a Delaware corporation (hereinafter referred to as "Company"), and John Smith (hereinafter referred to as "Contractor").”
Why It Matters
Pay attention to "hereinafter" definitions - they tell you exactly who or what is being discussed throughout the contract. Misunderstanding these definitions can lead to confusion about your obligations.
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