; provided, however

[i are an english speaker]

I thought I knew how to use the semicolon. However, when I come
across legal writing, I seem to encounter semicolons being used
inappropriately. .

What is the deal with "; provided, however." It seems to be used in
lieu of a dash. Or, there should be no semicolon, just a comma.

For example: Credit may be issued in any reasonable manner;
provided, however, that such credit will appear where any other
comparable credit appears and in a manner at least as prominent as
such other comparable credit.

Is this another example of treating the semicolon as a "hard comma."
Like when listing items with dates or companies?

[Robert Lieblich]

It's conventional. Legal language, like all jargons, has its own
conventions. "Provided, however," is used to begin what is called a
"proviso," which makes an exception to, or sets a condition on, what
precedes it (as it does in your example). The semicolon before the
proviso sets the proviso apart as a way of ensuring that it is read as
an exception or condition, but by not starting a new sentence it also
links the proviso to what went before, so you know that the exception
or condition relates to.

It is frequently the case, as with your example, that a semicolon is
preferred even if "provided" is omitted, which suggests that the
semicolon before "provided" is consistent with standard punctuation
anyway.

--
Bob Lieblich
No charge by me, no reliance by you