indemn

Indemn is a Latin term meaning "free from obligation" or "not responsible". In a legal context, an indemnity refers to a contractual agreement where one party agrees to compensate another party for any losses or damages incurred due to a specific event or activity.

An indemnity can take various forms, including a promise to pay a certain amount of money, a promise to take specific actions, or a combination of both. In general, the purpose of an indemnity is to transfer or mitigate the risk of loss from one party to another.

Indemnities are commonly used in business transactions, such as when a company hires an independent contractor or when a property owner allows another party to use their premises. They are also used in licensing agreements, insurance policies, and other contracts where one party needs protection against potential losses.

There are several types of indemnities, including general, specific, and consequential. A general indemnity provides broad protection against all types of losses, while a specific indemnity may only cover specific losses or damages. A consequential indemnity covers losses that result indirectly from a particular event or activity.

To be enforceable, an indemnity typically requires clear and specific language, including a definition of the risk being covered, the amount of compensation to be paid, and any limitations or exclusions. Courts often scrutinize indemnity clauses closely to ensure that they are not ambiguous or unfair.