In legal terms, a mandate refers to a formal order or command issued by a higher authority, typically a court, government agency, or regulatory body, directing specific actions to be taken or decisions to be implemented. Mandates can take various forms, such as court orders, administrative directives, or legislative enactments, and they are binding upon the individuals or entities to whom they are addressed. Compliance with a mandate is mandatory, and failure to adhere to its terms may result in legal consequences, such as fines, penalties, or enforcement actions. Mandates play a crucial role in governing behaviour, resolving disputes, and upholding the rule of law within a legal system.
A command or order.
An official or authoritative command; an order or injunction; a commission; a judicial precept.
n.
- any mandatory order or requirement under statute, regulation, or by a public agency.
- order of an appeals court to a lower court (usually the original trial court in the case) to comply with an appeals court’s ruling, such as holding a new trial, dismissing the case or releasing a prisoner whose conviction has been overturned.
- same as the writ of mandamus, which orders a public official or public body to comply with the law.
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This glossary post was last updated: 28th March, 2024.
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