Legal Definitions - ad hoc

The term ad hoc, from Latin, means "for this purpose only" or "for a specific case or situation." It describes something created, formed, or decided to address a particular, often immediate, need or circumstance, rather than being part of a standing policy, permanent structure, or general plan. An ad hoc arrangement is typically temporary or narrowly focused on a single issue.

Here are some examples illustrating the application of "ad hoc":

• Imagine a software company that suddenly discovers a critical security vulnerability in one of its products. To address this urgent issue, the company might assemble an ad hoc security team comprising experts from various departments. This team's sole purpose would be to identify the root cause, develop a patch, and implement it as quickly as possible. Once the vulnerability is resolved, the team would likely disband, as its specific mission would be complete.

  Explanation: This team is "ad hoc" because it was formed specifically and temporarily to tackle a unique, immediate problem, rather than being a permanent department or a regularly scheduled project team.

• In a complex legal dispute involving multiple parties, a judge might appoint an ad hocmediator. This mediator would be tasked solely with facilitating a settlement between the specific parties in that particular case. Their authority and role would be limited to that single dispute, and they would not serve as a general mediator for the court or for other cases.

  Explanation: The mediator's appointment is "ad hoc" because it is tailored precisely to the needs of one specific legal case, with a defined, limited purpose and duration related only to that dispute.

• Consider a local government agency that needs to quickly develop a public awareness campaign for an unexpected health crisis, such as a sudden outbreak of a contagious illness. Instead of going through the usual lengthy process of hiring an external marketing firm or forming a new permanent department, they might create an ad hoc task force from existing staff members. This task force would be dedicated exclusively to designing and launching the urgent public health campaign.

  Explanation: The task force is "ad hoc" because it is a temporary grouping of individuals brought together with the singular, immediate goal of addressing a specific, unforeseen public health communication need, rather than being a standing committee or a long-term departmental initiative.