indirectly
Definition
In legal documents, 'indirectly' means accomplishing something through a roundabout method or through another person or company rather than doing it yourself. Lawyers add this word to close loopholes that sneaky people might use to technically follow the letter of an agreement while completely violating its spirit.
Example
If your non-compete agreement says you cannot 'directly or indirectly' compete with your former employer, you cannot get around the restriction by quietly owning a stake in a competitor company and letting your cousin run it.
Watch Out
When you see 'indirectly' in a contract, treat it as a serious expansion of your obligations because courts will look at the real-world effect of your actions, not just whether you personally and literally did the restricted thing.
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This definition is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult with a licensed attorney for legal guidance.