The word consent is often used incorrectly in legal documents, both as a word and as a noun. This entry aims to provide practical help regarding the use of this word to those who draft various types of legal text in English.
As a noun, “consent” is a notion, usually in the form of a document or expressed orally, in which one gives permission for something to happen or agrees to something to be done. In practice, I perceive it as giving green light to an act to be performed by someone else. It can be seen in legal texts in various expressions, including, but not limited to the following:
• „consent to registration”
• „prior written consent”
• “unanimous consent”
• “the consent may not be unreasonably withheld”
The usage of consent as a verb is probably more difficult than that of a noun. As a verb, “consent” is the act to permit an act to be performed by someone else. Consenting to an action does not necessarily specifies the person who will act. The phraseology depends on whether we consent to the action of a specific person or in general. Let us look at the two ways of using this verb separately:
• “Seller irrevocably and unconditionally consents to the registration of Buyer’s title of ownership to the Property in the land register”
• “The Escrow Bank shall deliver a letter to the land registry in which it consents to the release of the mortgage”
• “I hereby consent to the handling of my personal data by my attorney at law”
• “I expressly give my consent that the attorney prepare copies of the documents containing my personal data “
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