As a professional, I come across a variety of legal documents that require thorough review and editing. One phrase that often appears in legal agreements is “now therefore this agreement witnesseth as follows.” While this phrase may seem archaic and convoluted, it is essential for legal documents to include it for several reasons.
Firstly, the phrase “now therefore this agreement witnesseth as follows” serves as an introduction to the text that follows. This phrase signals to the reader that the text which follows will outline the terms of an agreement that is binding on both parties. By using this phrase, the text immediately establishes the context in which the agreement is being made.
Secondly, the phrase carries important legal significance. It serves as evidence that the parties involved in the agreement have come to a mutual understanding and are entering into a legally binding contract. This phrase is often used in contracts, deeds, and other legal documents as a way to authenticate the agreement.
From an SEO standpoint, including this phrase also provides an opportunity to use a primary keyword in the title tag and meta description of the page on which the agreement is published. This can help to optimize the page for search engines and make it more visible to users searching for legal documents and contracts.
While some may argue that “now therefore this agreement witnesseth as follows” is a cumbersome phrase that seems out of place in modern legal agreements, it serves an essential function. Its inclusion provides a clear introduction to the terms of the agreement, establishes legal authenticity, and presents an SEO optimization opportunity. As a professional, I recommend including this phrase in legal documents for its legal and SEO benefits.