Officious Intermeddler Definition and Legal Meaning

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

What is Officious Intermeddler?

A person who out of choice or on request performs duties for another person.He is not bound legally or by any contract and therefore he is not entitled for any kind of payment for his services besides whatever is given to him as a feeling of thankfulness and appreciation.

History and Meaning of Officious Intermeddler

Officious Intermeddler is a legal term that describes a person who takes it upon themselves to interfere or involve themselves in the affairs of someone else, without being asked or without any legal obligation. An Officious Intermeddler acts out of their own free will and without any legal status, and as such, has no authority to carry out actions on behalf of another person.

The term Officious Intermeddler originated in English law and was used to describe a person who interfered in legal matters without having the necessary legal standing or authority to do so. Today, the term is used more broadly to describe anyone who interferes in someone else's affairs without being asked to do so.

Examples of Officious Intermeddler

  1. A stranger attending a funeral and taking pictures because they believe they have a right to do so.
  2. A person who takes it upon themselves to manage the finances of an elderly neighbour without their consent.
  3. A passerby who attempts to intervene in a domestic dispute between two parties without being asked by either party.

Legal Terms Similar to Officious Intermeddler

  1. Busybody: a person who shows excessive interest in the affairs of others.
  2. Meddler: a person who involves themselves in a situation without having any legal standing or authority to do so.
  3. Interloper: a person who becomes involved in a matter they have no right to be involved in.