Contract Glossary
Hold Harmless
Definition
A contractual promise where one party agrees not to hold the other responsible for certain losses, damages, or legal claims. It's closely related to indemnification — many contracts use both terms together in the same clause.
In Practice
You'll often see 'hold harmless and indemnify' in the same sentence. If you're a contractor working on someone's property, the client might require you to hold them harmless from any claims arising from your work. If your subcontractor injures a bystander, your hold harmless clause means the client isn't responsible — you are.
Common in these contract types
Related terms
Frequently asked questions about hold harmless
They're closely related and often used interchangeably, but there's a technical difference. 'Hold harmless' means you won't hold the other party liable — it's a release. 'Indemnify' means you'll actively compensate them for losses. Many contracts use both ('hold harmless and indemnify') to cover all bases.
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Create your contractThis content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For contracts with significant financial or legal implications, review by a qualified attorney is recommended.