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Simple English definitions for legal terms
contributory
Read a random definition: premeditated
A quick definition of contributory:
Contributory: When something is contributory, it helps to make something happen. For example, if you work for a company that has a contributory pension plan, both you and your employer put money into the plan to help you save for retirement. A contributory person is someone who helps or has a duty to help. In the past, a contributory person was someone who was part of a company and had to help pay off the company's debts if it went out of business.
A more thorough explanation:
Definition: Contributory (pronounced kuhn-trib-yuh-tawr-ee) means tending to bring about a result or having a duty to contribute. It can also refer to a pension fund that receives contributions from both the employer and employees.
Examples:
- Her hard work was contributory to the success of the project.
- The company's contributory pension plan required both the employer and employees to make contributions.
- In the past, a person who was a member of a corporation was considered a contributory and could be held liable for the corporation's debts upon its winding up.
The first example shows how someone's actions can contribute to a positive outcome. The second example illustrates how a pension plan can be contributory by requiring contributions from both parties. The third example is a historical use of the term, where being a member of a corporation made someone a contributory who could be held responsible for the corporation's debts.