Boilerplate

In one sentence

Standard, pre-written contract language used repeatedly in many agreements without customization.

Plain English

Boilerplate refers to the standard chunks of legal language that appear in almost every contract—things like "this agreement constitutes the entire agreement" or liability disclaimers. These clauses are recycled from template to template because they've been tested in court and generally work. While boilerplate saves time and money, it can sometimes create problems if it doesn't fit your specific situation or if you don't read it carefully.

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Example

You download a website's terms of service and notice it contains the same liability disclaimer and dispute-resolution clause you've seen on dozens of other sites. That standard language is boilerplate.

Used in a sentence

“The contract's boilerplate indemnification clause protected the company from most liability claims.”

Related terms

Written Contract

An agreement between parties that is documented in writing and signed by the parties involved.

Disclaimer of Warranties

A statement that removes or limits the automatic guarantees a seller would otherwise provide.

Formal Contract

A contract that requires specific formalities, such as a seal, notarization, or written form, to be enforceable.

Express Condition

A requirement clearly stated in a contract that must happen for obligations to arise.

Contract

A legally binding agreement between two or more parties to do or not do something.

Offer

A proposal to enter into a binding agreement on specific terms.

Acceptance

Agreeing to the exact terms of an offer, creating a binding contract.

Consideration

Something of value exchanged by each party to make a contract binding.

This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change over time. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney.