emiledgar Sep 6, 2012:

Not possible Doesn't matter the why of the inelegant sentence (lawyer, non-native etc), because it is impossible to truly know the meaning as written. I think it means that the contract becomes binding/takes effect at the end of the probationary period, but as long as the phrase has too many prepositions there's no way to know for sure.

cc in nyc Sep 6, 2012:

the unclear part The unclear part is "is good for upon end of the probation period." Is it meant to be:

• "is good for the probation period"?
• "is good upon end of the probation period"?

Our choice? Maybe so (yikes!), but each is different in meaning.

Germaine Sep 6, 2012:

Totally agree with Tony I too read the "good for" as coming from an amateur lawyer who may not have choosen the right source of inspiration. In the context, it sounds to me like "and shall be binding upon the parties at the end of..."

Tony M Sep 6, 2012:

Odd It is certainly oddly written, but I wouldn't say it doesn't make sense; 'is good for' is OK, and 'upon end of...' is OK, it is just the 'for' that rings slightly untrue; but it does sort of fit with a not-very-educated (or perhaps non-native?) writer, who feels that 'good for [something]' is an appropriate way to write a contract! Note expressions like "this voucher is good for one free burger" and also cf. "This car is old, but she's good for another few years yet" All these are very colloquial expresssions, inappropriate in a legal register, hence why I suspect possibly a non-native writer?

I understand this to mean that the contract comes fully into force at the end of the probation period, during which time presumably certain aspects of the functioning of the contract may be modified.

I'm pretty sure that all they are saying is that the contract is valid as soon as it is signed (normal practice, of course!), but only comes into force in its final form once the 3 months is up.

cc in nyc Sep 2, 2012:

agree The source text is not clear as written.

emiledgar Sep 1, 2012:

It seems that they are saying that the contract will be effective after the probation period but who knows considering the meaningless phrase "is good for upon end of the probation period"

AllegroTrans Sep 1, 2012:

The source text is poor English "and is good for upon end of the probation period" sounds like a bad translation from another language. Does it mean that the Contract will remain in effect UNTIL the end of the probation period? I suspect not, but this is by no means clear. It might be safer for the asker to check this with the client