1. In conveyancing, a corresponding part of an instrument (the other half of the indenture — the counterpart — could not be found).
2. One of two or more copies or duplicates of a legal instrument (this lease may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which is considered an original).
“Formerly ‘part’ was used as the opposite of ‘counterpart,’ in respect to covenants executed in duplicate, but now each copy is called a ‘counterpart.’ ” 2 Stewart Rapalje & Robert L. Lawrence, A Dictionary of American and English Law 927 (1883).
“Counterparts are not nowadays written on the same parchment, but that which is executed by the grantor of an interest is called the ‘original,’ while that which is executed by the party to whom the interest passes — for ex-ample, a lessee — is called the ‘counterpart.’ ” G.C. Cheshire, Modern Law of Real Property 674 (3d ed. 1933).
