Mandate Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Mandate, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Mandate?

(n) Mandate is the awarding or assigning of authority to do certain acts or activities for which such mandate is issued.Eg.(1) Mandate issued by appeal court to trial curt to hold new trial. Mandate of the voters to select new body

History and Meaning of Mandate

The term mandate has its roots in the Latin word mandatum, which means "something commanded." In legal terms, a mandate refers to the granting of authority to an individual or body to perform specific acts or activities. It can also refer to a formal order or instruction from a higher authority.

In the context of American politics, a mandate often refers to the authority given to a president or other elected official by the voters to carry out specific policies or initiatives. Mandates can also be issued by courts, granting authority to lower courts or other government bodies to perform certain legal actions.

Examples of Mandate

  1. After his election as president, Joe Biden claimed a mandate to implement his policy agenda based on the popular vote and electoral college results.

  2. A federal court issued a mandate that required a state to redraw its voting districts to address gerrymandering.

  3. A corporate board of directors may issue a mandate to its executives to pursue a specific business strategy.

  4. The United Nations Security Council issued a mandate authorizing military intervention in a conflict zone to protect civilians.

Legal Terms Similar to Mandate

  1. Power of Attorney - A legal document granting someone the authority to act on behalf of another person.

  2. Writ - A formal written order issued by a court or other legal authority.

  3. Decree - A final order or judgement issued by a court, often used in family law cases.