What is it?
This term functions as a specific type of performance clause within contracts and governs obligations tied to continuous time frames.
daily
UCC / CommercialLegal glossary term
Quick answer
What does daily mean?
Daily usually means occurring every single calendar day or business day. In contracts, it matters because it establishes a continuous performance duty, forcing constant compliance rather than periodic action. Before signing, check if the contract specifies 'calendar' or 'business' days.
Definitions
What is daily?
Legal Definition
A daily obligation refers to an action or requirement that must be performed on a day-to-day basis, rather than periodically or upon demand. This term establishes a continuous performance duty under agreements governing everything from leases to service contracts. Practitioners often specify if this means 'daily' in the sense of calendar days or business days.
Plain-English Translation
It is like needing to take out the trash every single day without fail. If you miss one day, the whole promise might be considered broken, just like missing a daily chore list.
Term context
How daily shows up in legal documents
Why does it matter?
Ignoring a daily obligation usually constitutes a breach of contract, potentially allowing the non-breaching party to sue for damages or seek default judgment. The obligated party bears this risk.
When does it matter?
This term triggers when the agreed-upon performance period begins; for instance, rent is due 'daily' starting on the first day of occupancy.
Where is it usually seen?
It appears frequently in commercial leases (e.g., daily maintenance checks), payment schedules within installment contracts, and regulatory filing requirements.
Who is affected?
A tenant gains the right to timely possession if the landlord performs a daily inspection; conversely, the subcontractor risks penalty fees if they fail their daily reporting duties.
How does it work?
First, the contract specifies the duty (e.g., 'deliver goods'). Then, it mandates this action happen on a daily basis. Finally, failure to perform within that 24-hour cycle triggers the contractual consequence.
Contract relevance
Why daily matters in contracts
Ignoring a daily obligation usually constitutes a breach of contract, potentially allowing the non-breaching party to sue for damages or seek default judgment. The obligated party bears this risk.
Document context
Where daily appears in documents
| Document type | Section | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Lease Agreement | Obligations of Tenant | Determines when rent must be paid and utilities consumed. |
| Service Contract | Performance Metrics | Sets the required frequency for service checks or reports. |
| Employment Agreement | Work Requirements | Defines when an employee must log hours or perform tasks. |
| Supply Chain Contract | Delivery Terms | Governs the expected cadence of goods shipment to the buyer. |
Contract language
Common contract wording
| Contract wording | Plain-English meaning | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| The Lessee shall make payment daily. | The tenant must pay every single day. | Does this mean 365 days a year, or only M-F? |
| Daily reporting is required for all projects. | A report must be submitted each business day. | If the contract says 'daily,' does it exclude weekends automatically? |
| Service availability must be maintained on a daily basis. | The service needs to work every single day. | Are there exceptions for scheduled maintenance downtime? |
Red flags
Red flags to watch for
Daily, without qualification
This leaves ambiguity about whether weekends or holidays are included in the daily count.
What to check: Look for 'calendar' vs. 'business' day modifiers nearby.
Daily performance, subject to review
The duty is constant, but the standard or acceptance of that duty might be negotiable later.
What to check: What standard defines 'acceptable' daily performance?
Daily commitment unless otherwise agreed
This implies a default setting, but the scope of that default is unclear.
What to check: Are there any carve-outs or exceptions listed immediately after this phrase?
Daily reporting (as needed)
The inclusion of '(as needed)' weakens the strictness, allowing for skipped days.
What to check: Under what conditions can a day be legitimately skipped without penalty?
Wording examples
Clearer wording examples
Vague wording
Daily obligation
Clearer wording
Obligation due on every calendar day
Vague wording
Perform daily
Clearer wording
Perform each business day
Note: “clearer” means easier to read — not legally reviewed or guaranteed safe.
Pre-signature checklist
What to check before signing
1
Is the term 'daily' defined in a Definitions section?
2
Does it specify 'calendar days' or 'business days'?
3
Are there any listed exceptions (e.g., holidays, maintenance)?
4
What happens if performance fails on a daily basis?
5
Is the scope of the daily duty clearly described (what must be done)?
6
Does it cover all parties involved in the agreement?
Party impact
How daily affects each party
| Party | What this party should check |
|---|---|
| Buyer/Client | Ensure the Seller's obligations are truly continuous and not just weekly. |
| Seller/Provider | Confirm if 'daily' applies to their duties or only the Buyer’s payments. |
| Tenant | Verify if rent payment must occur every day, even on weekends. |
| Employer | Confirm that daily reporting aligns with the actual operational needs of the business. |
Comparison
daily vs similar terms
| Related term | Plain meaning | Main difference from daily |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly | Action required once per seven-day period. | Less frequent; allows for a gap of up to six days between duties. |
| Upon Demand | Action happens only when the other party requests it. | Not scheduled; dependent on immediate need rather than a fixed calendar date. |
| Monthly | Action required once per 30-day cycle. | Allows for variability in timing within the month, unlike strict daily adherence. |
Missing or vague
If daily is missing or vague
If 'daily' lacks context, parties might argue over whether Sunday counts as a day of performance. Another common dispute arises when one party performs on Monday but claims they were excused because their internal system only tracks business days. Without clarification, the contract becomes highly susceptible to interpretation by a judge or arbitrator regarding standard commercial practice.
Document map
Document section map
| Contract section | What to inspect |
|---|---|
| Definitions | Check if 'Daily' is defined as 'Calendar Day,' 'Business Day,' or both. |
| Payment Terms | Look for language tying payment to a daily cycle (e.g., 'payment due daily'). |
| Performance/Service Level | Examine requirements like 'daily check-ins' or 'daily deliverables.' |
| Termination Clauses | See if failure to meet a daily obligation triggers immediate termination rights. |
Visual model
Understand daily fast
An explainer image has not been generated for this term yet.
01
Landlord: Must inspect the property every day; outcome is maintaining insurance coverage.
02
Borrower: Must make a payment each day until payoff; outcome is avoiding default status.
03
Franchisor: Must provide daily sales reports to franchisor HQ; outcome is retaining operating privileges.
Questions & answers
Common questions about daily
What does daily mean?
Daily usually means occurring every single calendar day or business day. In contracts, it matters because it establishes a continuous performance duty, forcing constant compliance rather than periodic action. Before signing, check if the contract specifies 'calendar' or 'business' days.
What is daily in plain English?
It is like needing to take out the trash every single day without fail. If you miss one day, the whole promise might be considered broken, just like missing a daily chore list.
Why does daily matter in a contract?
Ignoring a daily obligation usually constitutes a breach of contract, potentially allowing the non-breaching party to sue for damages or seek default judgment. The obligated party bears this risk.
When does daily apply?
This term triggers when the agreed-upon performance period begins; for instance, rent is due 'daily' starting on the first day of occupancy.
Where does daily appear in documents?
It appears frequently in commercial leases (e.g., daily maintenance checks), payment schedules within installment contracts, and regulatory filing requirements.
Who is affected by daily?
A tenant gains the right to timely possession if the landlord performs a daily inspection; conversely, the subcontractor risks penalty fees if they fail their daily reporting duties.
How does daily work?
First, the contract specifies the duty (e.g., 'deliver goods'). Then, it mandates this action happen on a daily basis. Finally, failure to perform within that 24-hour cycle triggers the contractual consequence.
What happens if daily is missing or vague?
If 'daily' lacks context, parties might argue over whether Sunday counts as a day of performance. Another common dispute arises when one party performs on Monday but claims they were excused because their internal system only tracks business days. Without clarification, the contract becomes highly susceptible to interpretation by a judge or arbitrator regarding standard commercial practice.
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Wikipedia
Daily
Daily or The Daily may refer to:
Open on Wikipedia →Knowledge graph
Where daily connects to real contract work
This layer links the term to nearby glossary entries, document use cases, and contract-risk guides so readers can move from definition to context without dead ends.
9nodes
Glossarybusiness daybusiness day often shapes similar contract language wording, negotiation leverage, and the plain-English meaning of the clause arou...Glossaryperformance periodperformance period often shapes similar contract language wording, negotiation leverage, and the plain-English meaning of the claus...Glossaryagreementagreement often shapes similar contract language wording, negotiation leverage, and the plain-English meaning of the clause around...
BGRisk context hubGlossary meaning, document paths, and adjacent risk pages connected around this clause.
Use caseContract Due Diligence ToolBusiness & Commercial Contracts: Analyze a Business Contract online and spot risky wording fast.Use caseAnalyze Service AgreementBusiness & Commercial Contracts: Analyze a Service Agreement online and spot risky wording fast.Use caseScan Service Contract For RisksBusiness & Commercial Contracts: Scan a Service Agreement for red flags before you sign.RiskFinancial obligations clause riskPlain-English risk guide for financial obligations clause risk.RiskLate payment penalties contractPlain-English risk guide for late payment penalties contract.RiskNon refundable payment clausePlain-English risk guide for non refundable payment clause.
Source & disclosure
This page is an AI-assisted plain-English explanation based on LexPredict Legal Dictionary context and contract-review patterns. It is not legal advice. Meaning may vary by jurisdiction, industry, and exact clause wording.
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