Documents ATTACHed to contracts

When a contract or some other legal instrument (okirat) is drafted, documents which provide additional data or information to the main body of the contract are attached to it. The most general terms for these additional parts of the contract re ’appendix’, ’annex’, and ’addendum’ (melléklet). Since these expressions come from Latin, they have irregular plural forms, such as ’appendices’ for appendix, while addendum has alternative plural forms,’addendums’ and ’addenda’.

A ’schedule’ (ütemterv, menetrend, táblázat, lista) is also an appendix, but with a special meaning: it refers to an appendix which usually contains numbers (figures), lists (such as an inventory or list of addresses), or timetables, typed in the same style as the contract, since it is usually determined by the parties, it reflects their agreement.

Exhibit (függelék) is also a subcategory of appendix and it usually contains drawings, pictures, logos or other depictions. Exhibits may come from ’external’ sources, they may not be prepared, only approved by the parties. They exist independently of the contract and may be different in style, as well. Exhibits are usually drafted and issued by professionals or by authorities; such as a building permit or a cerificate of title.  In procedural law, the word ’exhibit’ has a special meaning: it is an object presented before the court in order to prove something (tárgyi bizonyítási eszköz).

Attachment (csatolmány) originally was different from all the abovementioned terms: it  was not regarded as a part of a legal document. It could only be used in terms of additional files connected to e-mails, such as enclosure to letter. However, it has changed recently and ‘attachment’ can have the same meaning as appendix, annex, or addendum.