deferral

Procedural/Temporal Legal TermLegal glossary term

Legal Definition

Deferral refers to the act of postponing or setting aside a decision, action, or obligation for a future time. In legal contexts, it signifies a postponement of a deadline, a requirement, or a judgment, often indicating that an immediate action is being delayed rather than outright rejected.

Plain-English Translation

It means putting off a decision or task until later. If a judge says 'deferral,' it means they are delaying the final ruling or decision for a while. It's about saying, 'Not right now, but soon.'

Context in Contracts

It matters in legal documents because it establishes a mechanism for managing timelines and obligations. It is crucial when parties agree to delay a discovery deadline, postpone a hearing date, or defer a judgment until a later stage of litigation or contractual obligation.

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01

A court granting a deferral of a discovery deadline to ensure the parties have sufficient time to prepare evidence.

02

A contract clause stating that payment obligations can be deferred until a specified future date.

Document context

How deferral shows up in legal documents

What is it?

Deferral is the act of postponing an action, a judgment, a deadline, or an obligation to occur at a later time. In legal contexts, it means setting aside a requirement or decision for future consideration rather than immediate execution.

Why does it matter?

It matters in legal documents because it establishes a mechanism for managing timelines and obligations. It is crucial when parties agree to delay a discovery deadline, postpone a hearing date, or defer a judgment until a later stage of litigation or contractual obligation.

When does it matter?

Deferral usually appears when a party requests an extension of a deadline, a court grants more time to resolve an issue, or a contract stipulates that certain obligations can be postponed without penalty.

Where is it usually seen?

It is usually seen in procedural rules, discovery schedules, motion practice, and contractual clauses where the timing of performance is flexible.

Who is affected?

The parties involved, including litigants, attorneys, and courts, are affected by deferral as they must agree on the new timeline or the court must grant the postponement.

How does it work?

In practice, a deferral involves formally agreeing that an action (like filing a motion or making a decision) will occur at a future date. The legal effect is that the immediate requirement is postponed, often with the understanding that the original obligation remains valid but the timing shifts.

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Wikipedia

Deferral

In accounting, a deferral is any account where the income or expense is not recognised until a future date. In accounting, deferral refers to the recognition of revenue or expenses at a later time than when the cash transaction occurs. This concept is used to...

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Disclaimer: We do not provide legal advice. We translate legal language into plain English and help you prepare for a conversation with a lawyer.