legal reserves
noun[plural]
FINANCE,LAWukusthesmallestamountofmoneythatfinancialorganizationssuch asbanksmustkeeptoprotectthemselves againstfuturefinanciallosses, topaylegalfees, etc.:
Thecompanywillincreaseitslegalreservesby afurther$4.95bn tocoverthecostoflitigationsurroundingitsrolein thedispute.