prior written consent
Definition
Prior written consent means you must get permission from someone in writing before you take a specific action, not after the fact and not just through a verbal agreement. Contracts use this phrase to make sure important decisions get documented so neither party can later claim they never approved something.
Example
Your office lease might say you need prior written consent from your landlord before subletting your space to another business, meaning you cannot just make a handshake deal with a subtenant and inform the landlord later.
Watch Out
A verbal okay from the other party does not count as prior written consent, and acting without it can put you in breach of your contract even if the other party seemed fine with your plans at the time.
See which terms appear in your contract?
This definition is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult with a licensed attorney for legal guidance.