grandfather clause

grandfather clause.

1. Hist. A clause in the constitutions of some Southern states exempting from suffrage re-strictions the descendants of men who voted before the Civil War.

2. A provision that creates an exemption from the law’s effect for something that existed before the law’s effective date; specif., a statutory or regulatory clause that exempts a class of persons or transactions because of circumstances existing before the new rule or regulation takes effect. [Cases: Statutes 228. C.J.S. Statutes §§ 370–372.]

3. In a government contract, a provision that immunizes the contractor against any changes in federal law that would otherwise adversely affect the contract. • For example, the government may promise to cover any increased costs that arise from a change in the law, even though the contractor would bear them for any other reason.

4. In a construction contract, a general and inclusive provision that makes a party responsible for dealing with risks, whether expected or unexpected.


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译者Frank,毕业于英国一流的高级翻译学院,擅长翻译涉及交通物流领域的法律文件。
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