Legal Definitions - accede

The term accede (pronounced ak-SEED) refers to the act of formally agreeing to a demand, request, or treaty, or to formally join an organization, agreement, or set of rules. It implies a deliberate and often official acceptance or consent.

Here are some examples to illustrate its use:

• Example 1: Formal Agreement to a Request

  Imagine a neighborhood association presenting a petition to the city council, requesting a new traffic light at a dangerous intersection. After reviewing the data and public input, the city council might decide to accede to the association's request.

  Explanation: In this scenario, "accede" means the city council formally agrees to grant the request made by the neighborhood association, indicating their consent to take the requested action.

• Example 2: Joining an International Treaty or Organization

  A developing nation, after careful consideration of its economic and environmental implications, decides to join a global pact aimed at reducing plastic waste in oceans. The nation would then officially accede to the terms of this international treaty.

  Explanation: Here, "accede" signifies the nation's formal act of becoming a party to the treaty, accepting its obligations and benefits, which is a common use in international law and diplomacy.

• Example 3: Accepting New Standards or Conditions

  A software company, seeking to expand its services into a new market, finds that it must meet specific data privacy and security standards mandated by that region's regulations. To operate there, the company must accede to these new regulatory requirements.

  Explanation: This example demonstrates "accede" as the act of formally accepting and agreeing to comply with a set of rules, standards, or conditions in order to achieve a particular goal or operate within a specific framework.