What does 'ancillary' mean in a legal context?

In a legal context, 'ancillary' refers to something that is subordinate or supplementary to the main issue or primary matter at hand. This term is often used to describe legal proceedings, statutes, or documents that support or aid in the resolution of a primary legal issue, but are not the main focus themselves. For example, ancillary relief might refer to additional orders that a court might grant alongside the main ruling to support the outcome, such as spousal support in a divorce case. This understanding is essential for interpreting legal language and ensuring that legal documents and proceedings are accurately understood in terms of their hierarchy and relevance to the central matter. Thus, this choice accurately captures the meaning of 'ancillary' as it pertains to its role in providing additional, albeit secondary, support to primary legal issues.