What is it?
Clause Type | This term controls how initial terms—like price or quantity—are altered after the agreement is signed or filed.
adjusted
UCC / CommercialLegal glossary term
Quick answer
Adjusted usually means modified from an original state or value. In contracts, it dictates new obligations based on that change, like a revised price. Before signing, check if all parties explicitly agreed to the specific adjustment.
Definitions
What is adjusted?
Legal Definition
Adjusted means modified or altered from an original state, often reflecting a change in value or condition. This modification creates new obligations for parties involved under a contract or statute. The key qualifier here is whether the adjustment was agreed upon by all competent parties.
Plain-English Translation
If your permission slip says you can leave at 3 PM, but it's adjusted to 2:45 PM, that's changed from what was written down. It means the original promise isn't the final word.
Contract relevance
Why adjusted matters in contracts
Ignoring an adjustment can void a contract provision entirely, leading to breach claims. The party failing to properly document the change bears that risk.
Document context
Where adjusted appears in documents
| Document type | Section | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase Agreement | Price/Consideration Clause | Determines the final amount owed for goods or services. |
| Lease Agreement | Rent Schedule Section | Shows how monthly rent changes due to market rates or lease term progression. |
| Statute (e.g., UCC) | Damage Calculation Provisions | Governs how damages are calculated after a breach occurs. |
| Settlement Agreement | Final Judgment Terms | Confirms the final, agreed-upon figure post-litigation. |
| Invoices/Billing Statements | Line Item Totals | Indicates that an initial quoted price has been altered for billing purposes. |
Contract language
Common contract wording
| Contract wording | Plain-English meaning | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| The purchase price shall be adjusted based on quarterly review... | The original price will change after every three months. | Ensure the *method* of adjustment is defined. |
| Net amount, as adjusted by freight charges... | The final total includes any changes made for shipping costs. | Verify what specific items are included in that "adjustment. |
| Interest rate shall be adjusted annually per prevailing market index. | The interest rate will change once each year according to a set standard. | Confirm *when* the adjustment happens (e.g., Jan 1st). |
Red flags
Red flags to watch for
Wording examples
Clearer wording examples
Vague wording
Adjusted as necessary
Clearer wording
"Adjusted quarterly based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers"
Vague wording
Adjusted upon mutual agreement
Clearer wording
"Adjusted annually on June 1st following written notice of the adjustment calculation"
Vague wording
Adjusted to fair market value
Clearer wording
"Adjusted to the independent appraisal of XYZ Appraisal Company"
Note: “clearer” means easier to read — not legally reviewed or guaranteed safe.
Pre-signature checklist
What to check before signing
1
Is the method of calculation clearly defined?
2
Is there a timeline or trigger event for the change?
3
Are all parties capable of agreeing to the new term?
4
Does the agreement specify who bears the risk of an adjustment?
5
If it's subjective, is there a tie-breaker mechanism?
6
Does it reference a specific external index (like CPI)?
Party impact
How adjusted affects each party
| Party | What this party should check |
|---|---|
| Buyer | Must ensure the final adjusted price remains within their acceptable budget parameters. |
| Seller | Should verify that agreed adjustments align with their projected profit margins and costs. |
| Tenant | Needs to confirm rent increases are predictable and not punitive. |
| Service Provider | Checks if scope creep (additional work) triggers an adjustment in fee structure. |
Comparison
adjusted vs similar terms
| Related term | Plain meaning | Main difference from adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| Modification | A general change; 'adjusted' implies a quantitative shift or recalculation. | Adjustment is often the *result* of a modification. |
| Waiver | Giving up a right; 'adjusted' means altering an existing right/obligation. | You waive a right, but you don't necessarily alter what remains. |
| Amended | A formal document that replaces parts of the original contract with new text. | Adjustment is often *what* the amendment changes. |
Missing or vague
If adjusted is missing or vague
If 'adjusted' lacks definition, disputes usually flare over the basis of the change. One party might claim an adjustment was due to poor performance, while another insists it was merely a favorable market shift. Without clear parameters—like referencing a specific index or cost overrun percentage—the court must guess your intent.
This vagueness forces litigation because there is no objective starting point for negotiation.
Document map
Document section map
| Contract section | What to inspect |
|---|---|
| Definitions Section | Check the primary definition of 'Adjusted' itself. |
| Payment Terms Clause | Inspect how adjustments affect the dollar amount due (e.g., price, deposit). |
| Scope of Work/Deliverables | Review if extra work triggers an adjustment to the original fee structure. |
| Force Majeure Clause | See if unforeseen events lead to a contractual 'adjustment' in deadlines or penalties. |
Visual model
Understand adjusted fast
01
Lender adjusts loan principal from $200,000 to $195,000 after refinancing, making the new repayment schedule binding.
02
Franchisor adjusts royalty rate from 6% to 7.5% when sales exceed $1 million annually.
03
The court adjusts damages award from $50,000 pre-trial to $62,000 post-jury verdict.
Document context
How adjusted shows up in legal documents
Why does it matter?
Ignoring an adjustment can void a contract provision entirely, leading to breach claims. The party failing to properly document the change bears that risk.
When does it matter?
It triggers when a specific event occurs, such as a material change in market price or a formal negotiation results in a written addendum being executed.
Where is it usually seen?
You find this term frequently in UCC § 2-309 (Merchant's Firm Offer) and within commercial leases to specify rent changes.
Who is affected?
The indemnitor gains the benefit of an adjusted liability cap, while the tenant risks paying a higher rate after the lease adjustment date.
How does it work?
First, a baseline figure exists; then, a specific event prompts a review. Within that review, the parties formally agree to modify the original number or condition, resulting in the final adjusted metric.
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Wikipedia
List of countries by inequality-adjusted Human Development Index
This is a list of countries by inequality-adjusted Human Development Index (IHDI), as published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in its 2025 Human Development Report. According to the 2016 Report, "The IHDI can be interpreted as the level of...
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Where adjusted connects to real contract work
This layer links the term to nearby glossary entries, document use cases, and contract-risk guides so readers can move from definition to context without dead ends.
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BGRisk context hubGlossary meaning, document paths, and adjacent risk pages connected around this clause.
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Source & disclosure
This page is an AI-assisted plain-English explanation based on LexPredict Legal Dictionary context and contract-review patterns. It is not legal advice. Meaning may vary by jurisdiction, industry, and exact clause wording.
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