Oregon Construction Contractors (CCB) Practice Test

What term refers to the standard language or clauses used in legal contracts?

1. Boilerplate

2. Template

3. Appendix

4. Annotation

The correct answer is: Boilerplate

The term that refers to the standard language or clauses used in legal contracts is "boilerplate." Boilerplate clauses are the standardized provisions commonly included in contracts regardless of the specifics of each individual agreement. These clauses typically address general terms and conditions such as governing law, dispute resolution, indemnification, and the limitation of liability. The use of boilerplate language helps to save time and ensures consistency across various contracts, providing a framework within which the more specific terms of the agreement can be negotiated. In contrast, a template is a broader term that applies to any pre-designed format for documents, which may or may not include boilerplate language. An appendix is supplementary material that may accompany a contract to provide additional details or information, but it is not the main body of standard clauses. Annotation involves explanatory notes or comments added to a document for clarity, and it does not refer specifically to standard legal language within contracts.