Meaning & use
jointly or severally
Last updated
Meaning
phrasefixed phraselegal
In law, a phrase meaning that parties can be held responsible either together as a group or individually for the whole obligation.
Grammar: Used as a fixed phrase, typically after verbs like 'liable' or 'responsible'.
Patterns
- liable jointly or severally
- responsible jointly or severally
- jointly or severally liable
The partners are liable jointly or severally for the debts of the business.
Under the agreement, the guarantors are bound jointly or severally.
The contract states that the signatories are responsible jointly or severally.
Common combinations
- jointly or severally liable
- The directors are jointly or severally liable for the company's losses.
- jointly or severally responsible
- The tenants are jointly or severally responsible for the rent.
- jointly or severally bound
- The parties are jointly or severally bound by the terms of the agreement.
Synonyms and how they differ
- jointly and severally
- The more common phrase; 'or' emphasizes the alternative nature, while 'and' emphasizes both possibilities together.
Commonly confused: jointly or severally or jointly and severally?
jointly or severally vs jointly and severally
This is the standard phrase in law; 'jointly or severally' is a less common variant that stresses the choice between collective and individual liability.
Practice
In the contract, the partners are described as ___ liable for all debts.
Choose one answer.
The correct legal phrase is 'jointly or severally' (or the more common 'jointly and severally'). 'Joint or several' uses the wrong word forms, 'jointly and separate' mixes an adverb with an adjective, and 'joint and several' is close but usually appears as 'jointly and severally' in this context.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “jointly or severally”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.