clausola

Clausola is an Italian term that designates a clause or provision. In linguistics, it refers to a unit of syntax that forms part of a sentence, while in legal and contractual contexts it denotes a specific stipulation within a document.

In grammar, a clause can be independent (proposizione principale) or dependent (proposizione subordinata). Subordinate clauses include relative clauses (clausole relative), temporal clauses (clausole temporali), causal clauses (clausole causali), and others, often introduced by conjunctions such as che, se, quando, perché. The study of clauses helps explain how sentences are structured and how meaning is built through subordination and coordination.

In legal and contractual drafting, clausola refers to a binding provision that governs rights, duties, or outcomes. Common types include clausola penale (penalty clause), clausola sospensiva (suspensive condition), clausola risolutiva (resolutive or termination clause), clausola di non concorrenza (non-compete clause), clausola di riservatezza (confidentiality clause), and clausola compromissoria (arbitration clause). The precise wording of a clausola is essential for defining obligations, remedies, and conditions, and is often a focus of interpretation by courts.

Etymology traces clausola to the Latin clausula, a diminutive of claudere, meaning to close, reflecting the idea of a closing or binding statement within a text. The term is widely used in Italian language and law, and shares cognates with related terms in other Romance languages, all linked by the notion of a defined provision within a larger document or sentence.