What is it?
Regular is a contractual term that governs the frequency, timing, and consistency of performance obligations. It establishes the baseline against which breaches are measured.
regular
Contract LawLegal glossary term
Quick answer
Regular usually means consistent, scheduled performance according to established patterns. In contracts, it matters because deviations can constitute material breach. Before signing, define specific timeframes and consequences.
Definitions
What is regular?
Legal Definition
Regular describes scheduled, routine performance of contractual obligations on the expected timeframe. It creates an enforceable duty to perform consistently with established patterns without unreasonable delays. The key distinction practitioners care about is between regular performance and material breach, which can terminate the contract.
Plain-English Translation
Regular payments are like your weekly allowance—due every Friday without fail. Miss too many, and the privilege stops.
Contract relevance
Why regular matters in contracts
Ignoring the regular obligation risks material breach, allowing the other party to terminate the contract and sue for damages. The breaching party bears the risk of these consequences.
Document context
Where regular appears in documents
| Document type | Section | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Service contracts | Payment sections | Defines when service is considered properly performed |
| Supply agreements | Delivery clauses | Establishes expected delivery frequency |
| Lease agreements | Rent provisions | Specifies payment schedule and grace periods |
| Employment contracts | Work hours | Defines standard working schedule |
Contract language
Common contract wording
| Contract wording | Plain-English meaning | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Services shall be provided on a regular basis | Consistently according to the schedule | Check for specific days/times mentioned elsewhere |
| Regular monthly payments | Due each month by the specified date | Confirm if there's a grace period |
| Regular business hours | 9 AM to 5 PM on weekdays | Verify if holidays are excluded |
Red flags
Red flags to watch for
Wording examples
Clearer wording examples
Vague wording
Regular monthly payments
Clearer wording
Payments due on the 1st of each month
Vague wording
Regular business hours
Clearer wording
Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Note: “clearer” means easier to read — not legally reviewed or guaranteed safe.
Pre-signature checklist
What to check before signing
1
Confirm exact dates/times for regular obligations
2
Identify consequences of missing a regular obligation
3
Determine if there's grace period for regular payments
4
Document all regular communications and deliveries
5
Track performance against the regular standard
Party impact
How regular affects each party
| Party | What this party should check |
|---|---|
| Service Provider | Must maintain consistent performance to avoid claims of breach |
| Client | Should specify exact requirements for regular service to prevent disputes |
| Employer | Must ensure regular work schedules comply with labor laws |
Comparison
regular vs similar terms
| Related term | Plain meaning | Main difference from regular |
|---|---|---|
| Material breach | Failure to perform essential contract terms | Unlike regular issues, allows immediate termination |
| Substantial performance | Meeting most contract requirements | Falls short of regular but may still be acceptable |
| Timely performance | Meeting contractual deadlines | Focuses on timing rather than consistent patterns |
Missing or vague
If regular is missing or vague
Ambiguity in regular leads to disputes over whether a party has fulfilled obligations. Courts must interpret what constitutes regular performance based on industry standards or course of dealing. This uncertainty increases litigation risk and makes enforcement difficult.
Parties may disagree on whether a delay or variation excuses performance, potentially resulting in unexpected liabilities.
Document map
Document section map
| Contract section | What to inspect |
|---|---|
| Definitions | Specify exact meaning of regular for each type of obligation |
| Payment terms | Detail exact dates for regular payments and consequences of delay |
| Service levels | Outline specific requirements for regular service delivery |
| Performance standards | Define metrics for what constitutes regular performance |
Visual model
Understand regular fast
An explainer image has not been generated for this term yet.
01
Tenant must make regular monthly rent payments by the fifth day of each month.
02
Contractor shall provide regular weekly progress reports to the project manager.
03
Supplier must maintain regular inventory levels as specified in the supply agreement.
Document context
How regular shows up in legal documents
Why does it matter?
Ignoring the regular obligation risks material breach, allowing the other party to terminate the contract and sue for damages. The breaching party bears the risk of these consequences.
When does it matter?
When a payment is due regularly on the first of each month, failure to pay within 30 days constitutes a default, triggering remedies outlined in the contract.
Where is it usually seen?
Regular appears in service contracts, payment provisions, maintenance agreements, and supply contracts. Courts look for it in defining whether a party has substantially performed its obligations.
Who is affected?
Service providers must ensure regular performance to maintain payment rights. Customers risk losing termination rights if they fail to specify what constitutes regular performance in the contract.
How does it work?
First, identify all contractual obligations marked as regular. Then, establish the expected frequency and timing for each. Finally, document performance to demonstrate compliance with the regular standard.
Share
Send this term to someone else fast
Copy the link, open native sharing, or scan the QR code from another device.
Scan to open this glossary page on another device.
Wikipedia
External reference for regular
Open Wikipedia for broader background on regular.
Open on Wikipedia →Knowledge graph
Where regular 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.
Glossary
Use Cases
Contract Due Diligence Tool
Business & Commercial Contracts: Analyze a Business Contract online and spot risky wording fast.
Deed of Trust
Real Estate Contracts: A Deed of Trust gives your lender the power to sell your home without going to court.
Analyze Service Agreement
Business & Commercial Contracts: Analyze a Service Agreement online and spot risky wording fast.
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.
Move from term to document
See the real contract language around this term
A glossary definition helps, but actual risk usually lives in the surrounding clause. Upload the full document and BrieflyGo will map plain-English meaning, red flags, and next steps.