four-month rule

noun

: a rule requiring that an action be taken within four months: as

a

: a rule in some states requiring that a defendant be tried within four months of the arrest, charge, or arraignment

b

: a rule set out in section 9-316(a)(2) of the Uniform Commercial Code that provides a secured creditor four months to perfect a security interest again in the state to which the collateral perfected previously in another state has been moved