Legal Definitions - approve

Approve means to give official agreement, consent, or authorization to something, thereby making it valid or permissible. It signifies a formal endorsement by a recognized authority or body.

• Example 1: Government Regulation

  Imagine a pharmaceutical company that has developed a new drug to treat a rare disease. Before the drug can be sold to the public, the national health regulatory agency must approve it.

  Explanation: The regulatory agency, acting as the official authority, conducts rigorous tests and reviews of the drug's safety and efficacy. By formally approving the drug, the agency gives its authoritative sanction, confirming that the drug meets all necessary standards and can legally be marketed and prescribed to patients.

• Example 2: Corporate Governance

  A large technology company's executive team proposes a significant budget increase for its research and development department for the upcoming fiscal year. This proposal must then be presented to the company's Board of Directors for their consideration and approval.

  Explanation: The Board of Directors, as the highest governing body of the corporation, has the power to formally approve major financial decisions. Their vote to approve the budget increase provides the necessary official authorization, allowing the executive team to allocate the funds and proceed with their research plans.

• Example 3: Legal Proceedings

  In a divorce case involving minor children, the parents reach an agreement on child custody, visitation schedules, and child support payments. This agreement is then submitted to the family court for a judge to approve.

  Explanation: The judge's approval is a critical step in the legal process. By formally approving the agreement, the court confirms that the terms are fair, reasonable, and in the best interests of the children. This judicial sanction makes the agreement a legally binding court order that both parents must follow.