Severability clause

A severability clause ensures that if any provision of a contract is found to be unenforceable or invalid, the remaining provisions will still remain in full effect. This clause helps preserve the overall integrity of the agreement by allowing the enforceable sections to stand independently of any invalidated sections.

18 Severability clause examples

  • Description
    SECTION 3.4.       Severability Clause.   In case any provision in this Fourth Supplemental Indenture or in the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
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    L Brands, Inc. (LB)
  • Description
    SECTION 3.4. Severability Clause.   In case any provision in this Eleventh Supplemental Indenture or in the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
    Document
    L Brands, Inc. (LB)
  • Description
    Section 3.04 Severability Clause. In case any provision in this Twelfth Supplemental Indenture or in the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
    Document
    Bath & Body Works, Inc. (BBWI)
  • Description
    SECTION 3.4     Severability Clause. In case any provision in this Fifth Supplemental Indenture or in the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
    Document
    ARROW ELECTRONICS, INC (ARW)
  • Description
    SECTION 5.4 Severability Clause. In case any provision in this Supplemental Indenture shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
    Document
    ProFrac Holding Corp. (ACDC)
  • Description
    Sec. 11 Severability clause   11.1    Should any provision of this Funding Contract be invalid, it shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions of the Funding Contract. The contracting parties undertakes to replace an ineffective provision with one that comes closest to the purpose of this Funding Contract.
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    HOOKIPA Pharma Inc. (HOOK)
  • Description
    18.3 Severability Clause   Should any provision of this Employment Agreement be, or become, invalid or void, this shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions. In the event of the invalidity or nullity of a provision of this Employment Agreement, it shall be replaced by a valid provision which shall embody the economic purpose of the invalid provision as closely as possible. The same procedure shall apply in the event of an unintended omission within the Employee Agreement.
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    Helix Acquisition Corp (HLXA)
  • Description
    15.6 Severability clause   If any provision of this Contract is or becomes void, ineffective or unenforceable in whole or in part, or if a provision that is necessary in itself is not included, the validity and enforceability of all other provisions of this contract shall not be affected. In place of the void, ineffective or unenforceable provision or in order to fill the loophole, a legally permissible provision shall be agreed which corresponds as far as possible to what the Parties intended or would have agreed in accordance with the meaning and purpose of this Contract if they had recognised the ineffectiveness or the loophole. If the invalidity of a provision is based on a measure of performance or time (period or date) specified therein, the provision shall be deemed to have been agreed with a legally permissible measure that comes closest to the original measure. It is the express intention of the Parties that this severability clause does not result in a mere reversal of the burden of proof, but that section 139 BGB is waived altogether.
    Document
    Biofrontera Inc. (BFRI, BFRIW)
  • Description
    3.02 Severability Clause: If any portion of this Amendment (or the Agreement, as amended hereunder), is held to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason by a court or governmental authority of competent jurisdiction, then such portion will be deemed to be stricken and the remainder of the document(s) shall continue in full force and effect.
    Document
    Orion Group Holdings Inc (ORN)
  • Description
    SECTION 5.2. Severability Clause. In case any provision in this Amendment shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
    Document
    Blackstone Private Credit Fund
  • Description
    SECTION 5.2. Severability Clause. In case any provision in this Amendment shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
    Document
    Oaktree Specialty Lending Corp (OCSL, OSLE)
  • Description
    SECTION 3.2 Severability Clause. In case any provision in this Supplemental Indenture shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and such provision shall be ineffective only to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability.
    Document
    Cars.com Inc. (CARS)
  • Description
    Section 6.2 Severability Clause. In case any provision in this Amendment shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
    Document
    FS KKR Capital Corp (FSK)
  • Description
    SECTION 3.2    Severability Clause. In case any provision in this Supplemental Indenture shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and such provision shall be ineffective only to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability.
    Document
    Switch, Inc. (SWCH)
  • Description
    SECTION 5.2 Severability Clause. Any provision of this Amendment which is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.
    Document
    CIM REAL ESTATE FINANCE TRUST, INC.
  • Description
    § 16 Severability Clause Should individual provisions of this Agreement be or become void or ineffective in whole or in part, the effectiveness of the remaining provisions shall not be affected. The law (Sect. 306 para. 2 BGB) shall apply in place of any general terms and conditions that are not included or are ineffective. In all other respects, the parties shall replace the void or ineffective provision with an effective provision that comes as close as possible to the economic purpose of the void or ineffective provision, provided that no supplementary interpretation of the Agreement has priority or is possible.
    Document
    OPGEN INC (OPGN, OPGNW)
  • Description
    Add a severability clause, which provides that, in the event any provision of the Amended and Restated By-Laws is rendered invalid, illegal or unenforceable, such provision shall be severable from the other provisions of the Amended and Restated By-Laws; and
    Document
    Holley Inc. (HLLY)
  • Description
    Section 3.04     Severability Clause. In case any provision in this Supplemental Indenture shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and such provision shall be ineffective only to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability.
    Document
    CLEVELAND-CLIFFS INC. (CLF)

What is a Severability Clause?

A Severability Clause is a provision commonly found in contracts that ensures if one part of the contract is found to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the remainder of the contract will still be in effect. Essentially, it allows the contract to survive even if one or more of its provisions cannot be applied.

When should I use a Severability Clause?

You should consider using a severability clause in practically every contract you draft. This clause is particularly important in:

  • Complex Agreements: Contracts with multiple provisions and clauses where the risk of one part being invalid is higher.
  • Jurisdictionally Diverse Agreements: Contracts that span multiple legal jurisdictions where laws might vary significantly.
  • Commercial Transactions: Business contracts involving significant assets or important ongoing relationships.
  • Long-Term Agreements: Contracts that are meant to last for an extended period, where legal standards may change over time.

How do I write a Severability Clause?

A standard severability clause might look something like this:

If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect.

To make the clause more comprehensive, you could write:

Should any provision of this Agreement be determined to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall continue to be valid and enforceable. The invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision shall be deemed modified to the extent necessary to render it valid and enforceable, and the rights and obligations of the parties shall be construed and enforced accordingly, preserving to the fullest permissible extent the intent and agreements set forth in this Agreement.

Which contracts typically contain a Severability Clause?

Severability clauses are commonly included in various types of contracts, such as:

  • Commercial Contracts: Including sales agreements, service contracts, and partnership agreements.
  • Employment Agreements: Contracts for employment terms and conditions.
  • Licensing Agreements: Software, intellectual property, and other licensing deals.
  • Lease Agreements: Both commercial and residential real estate leases.
  • Franchise Agreements: Contracts that govern the relationship between franchisors and franchisees.
  • Investment Agreements: Including shareholder agreements and venture capital agreements.
  • Merger and Acquisition (M&A) Agreements: Contracts involving the purchase or merger of companies.

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Subordination of lease

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Tax disclaimer

A tax disclaimer clause states that the parties to the contract are responsible for their respective tax obligations and clarifies that the company providing a service or product will not be held liable for any tax-related issues or penalties incurred by the other party. This clause ensures that each party independently handles their tax liabilities in compliance with relevant laws.

12 example clauses