Lingopro (asker) Mar 19, 2012:

I see your point... I think legalese should be updated :-)

It's about offsetting amounts - but I like your take on carry over.
In reading the sentence again, I see why it is most likely "prior to".
The sentence says:
מובהר, כי הסכומים ששולמו לקבלן עובר למועד חתימת ההסכם בקשר עם חומרים יקוזזו מהסכום שישולם לקבלן על פי סעיף איקס לעיל

Shai Navé Mar 19, 2012:

I do belive that this means prior to It is a bit of an awkward phrasing, but in the legal context it probably just means the amount paid prior to the signing of the agreement (the author insisting on using the legal Jargon instead of simplifying things by writing לפני, קודם, etc.).

Also, though less likely, it could mean Carry Over, the amounts paid are carried over to the date of signing, hence, are considered as advances and not extra payments and/or bonuses of sorts.