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principal definition - legal

adj

Of greatest importance.

n

One who authorizes another to act in his or her behalf as an agent; any person involved in the commission of a criminal act.
disclosed
A principal whose identity is shared by his or her agent with the third party.
principal in the first degree
The actual perpetrator of a crime.
principal in the second degree
Someone who assists in some way the principal in the first degree.
undisclosed
A principal whose identity is kept secret by his agent. Both the undisclosed principal and the authorized agent are liable for fulfilling the provisions of a contract.

Webster's New World Law Dictionary Copyright © 2006 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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