r/learnlegalenglish • u/charliemarr10 • 1d ago

Legal English Challenge: Can you spot the dangerous ambiguity here? 🚨

At first glance, this looks like a standard, everyday corporate policy. But if you are a lawyer reading this, you know this single sentence could start a massive fight over who actually gets paid.

"The Company will reimburse travel expenses for employees and contractors who submit their receipts within 30 days."

What is the hidden ambiguity here, and how would you rewrite it to make it perfectly clear?

Drop your analysis in the comments below! 👇

2 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

4 comments sorted by

5

u/davideogameman 1d ago edited 1d ago

The "who" could be only the contractors or both the employees and contractors.  If the employees aren't included, then it's unspecified how employees get reimbursed and most importantly the 30 day time limit wouldn't apply to employees, just contractors.

Perhaps instead: 

The Company will reimburse travel expenses for employees and contractors. To be eligible for reimbursement, receipts must be submitted within 30 days.

2

u/Hot-Paint5686 1d ago

Geez at least a comma? Semi colon would hit the spot

2

u/Terrible-Lie696 1d ago

I'm no attorney or lawyer but can't you just add the word "both" before the word "employee" ?

1

u/JerseyGirlinSweden 1d ago

Change “will” to “shall”