What does the term 'recitals' refer to in legal contracts?

The term 'recitals' in legal contracts indeed refers to the language at the beginning of the contract that provides background information. This section typically outlines the purpose of the contract and the context in which the parties are entering into the agreement. It sets the stage for the commitments and obligations that follow in the main body of the contract. Recitals can clarify the intent of the parties and may include details about previous agreements, relevant facts, or the reasons why the parties are entering into the contract.

While summaries of the contract's main terms may be found in different sections, they do not specifically define recitals. The signature section, where parties sign, is separate from the recitals and does not contain explanatory background information, nor do enforcement clauses specifically fit this definition as they focus more on how the contract will be upheld rather than the context in which it was created.