What is it?
This term functions as a procedural rule and contractual clause type that governs the timing of performance obligations or legal responses within agreements and statutes.
immediately
Contract LawLegal glossary term
Quick answer
Immediately usually means right away or without delay. In contracts, it matters because it sets an instant deadline for performance or remedy. Before signing, check if 'immediately' is defined elsewhere in the agreement.
Definitions
What is immediately?
Legal Definition
The concept of immediately dictates that an action or obligation must occur without delay, right away from the triggering event. This immediacy creates an enforceable duty, often allowing a party to claim performance or damages instantly upon breach. Courts frequently examine whether the required action is immediate or merely within a short timeframe.
Plain-English Translation
When your mom says you need to clean your room immediately, it means you stop whatever you are doing right then and there. It’s like getting an instant hall pass for going outside.
Contract relevance
Why immediately matters in contracts
Ignoring immediate performance often allows the non-breaching party to claim anticipatory repudiation, leading to damages. The breaching party bears this risk.
Document context
Where immediately appears in documents
| Document type | Section | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Service Agreement | Scope of Work section | Defines when specific tasks must commence or conclude. |
| Loan Document | Repayment Terms | Determines whether payment is due upon receipt of notice or later. |
| Statute (e.g., UCC) | Notice Requirements | Dictates the timeframe for providing legally required written notification. |
| Commercial Lease Agreement | Default Clause | Establishes if rent must be paid immediately upon due date. |
| Regulatory Filing Form | Response Deadline | Specifies whether government agencies expect a response instantly. |
Contract language
Common contract wording
| Contract wording | Plain-English meaning | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Payment is due immediately upon invoicing | Pay it right now when you get the bill | Ensure there's no grace period attached. |
| The Contractor shall remedy the defect immediately | Fix the problem without waiting | Clarify if 'immediately' means 24 hours or instantly. |
| Notice must be provided immediately following breach | Tell them as soon as it happens | Check for a qualifying phrase like 'within 1 hour'. |
Red flags
Red flags to watch for
Wording examples
Clearer wording examples
Vague wording
immediately
Clearer wording
within one business day of receipt
Vague wording
immediately
Clearer wording
no later than 24 hours after the triggering event
Note: “clearer” means easier to read — not legally reviewed or guaranteed safe.
Pre-signature checklist
What to check before signing
1
Is 'immediately' defined in a Definitions section?
2
Does it mean instantly, or within a short timeframe?
3
What is the trigger event for this immediacy?
4
Are there any exceptions to the immediate requirement?
5
Does the term apply to action or notification?
6
If ambiguous, does it default to 24 hours?
7
Is 'reasonable' defined if used alongside 'immediately'?
Party impact
How immediately affects each party
| Party | What this party should check |
|---|---|
| Client/Buyer | Must ensure their obligations are prompt to avoid penalties. |
| Service Provider/Vendor | Needs clear deadlines so they can schedule resources immediately. |
| Lender | Wants immediate action from the Borrower upon default. |
| Tenant | Should verify that landlord notices trigger immediate response duties. |
Comparison
immediately vs similar terms
| Related term | Plain meaning | Main difference from immediately |
|---|---|---|
| Promptly | Means quickly, but allows a slight delay (e.g., within 48 hours) | Immediate requires no waiting time. |
| Reasonably | Depends on context; implies what is practical or fair given the situation | 'Immediately' is absolute unless modified by 'reasonable'. |
| Within X Days | Sets a specific calendar limit (e.g., Within 30 days) | This is measurable, whereas 'immediately' is relative to the trigger. |
Missing or vague
If immediately is missing or vague
If the term 'immediately' lacks definition, parties will inevitably dispute whether performance was timely enough.
One side might argue that a delay of three hours constitutes an acceptable deviation from instant action. The other party might insist that anything over five minutes breaks the covenant entirely. This ambiguity forces costly litigation to determine what standard of immediacy applies under the contract.
Document map
Document section map
| Contract section | What to inspect |
|---|---|
| Definitions | Look for 'Immediately' or a related definition block. |
| Performance Obligations | Check deadlines tied to actions like delivery, payment, or service start dates. |
| Notice Requirements | See how quickly one party must inform another of an issue. |
| Default and Breach | Review clauses stating when breach occurs (e.g., failure to pay immediately). |
| Remedies | Inspect if the right to sue is immediate upon a certain event occurring. |
Visual model
Understand immediately fast
An explainer image has not been generated for this term yet.
01
Landlord requires tenant to repair leak immediately; tenant fails to act, leading to rent withholding.
02
Borrower defaults on payment immediately upon receipt of statement; lender can immediately accelerate the loan.
03
Franchisor demands franchisee submit sales reports immediately after month-end closing; failure results in a fine.
Document context
How immediately shows up in legal documents
Why does it matter?
Ignoring immediate performance often allows the non-breaching party to claim anticipatory repudiation, leading to damages. The breaching party bears this risk.
When does it matter?
It is triggered when a specific deadline expires, such as when a notice of default arrives or upon the signing of a contract document itself.
Where is it usually seen?
You find 'immediately' in boilerplate clauses within UCC § 2-309 contracts and frequently in regulatory compliance deadlines from bodies like the SEC.
Who is affected?
A creditor gains the right to immediate collection when a loan defaults. A tenant risks eviction if they fail to vacate immediately after lease expiration.
How does it work?
First, an event happens (e.g., failure to cure a defect). Then, the obligated party must perform without waiting for further instruction. Within that window, performance must be instantaneous or within hours, depending on context.
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Wikipedia
Immediately
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Where immediately 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.
9nodes
Glossaryagreementagreement often shapes similar contract language wording, negotiation leverage, and the plain-English meaning of the clause around...Glossarycompliancecompliance often shapes similar contract language wording, negotiation leverage, and the plain-English meaning of the clause around...Glossaryconditioncondition often shapes similar contract language wording, negotiation leverage, and the plain-English meaning of the clause around...
BGRisk context hubGlossary meaning, document paths, and adjacent risk pages connected around this clause.
Use caseEviction NoticeReal Estate Contracts: An invalid eviction notice is legally void — but only if you know how to challenge it.Use casePerformance ReviewHR & Recruitment: Performance documents can be the paper trail used to justify termination.Use caseTermination NoticeHR & Recruitment: When you receive a termination notice, every word matters — especially what isn’t in it.RiskFinancial obligations clause riskPlain-English risk guide for financial obligations clause risk.RiskFinancial liability in contractsPlain-English risk guide for financial liability in contracts.RiskPenalty for breach clausePlain-English risk guide for penalty for breach clause.
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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