Legal Definitions - articuli

Articuli refers to distinct points, clauses, or sections within a larger document, such as a statute, treaty, or formal agreement. It essentially means "articles" or "items." Historically, this Latin term was used to denote specific provisions or chapters within legal texts.

• Example 1: International Treaty Provisions

  Imagine two nations negotiating a new peace treaty after a conflict. The final treaty document would be structured into numerous distinct sections, each addressing a specific term or condition. For instance, one section might define new border lines, another could outline reparations payments, and a third might detail the exchange of prisoners of war. Each of these separate, numbered sections, containing specific agreements, would historically have been referred to as *articuli*, meaning individual "articles" or "items" that collectively form the treaty.

• Example 2: Corporate Governing Documents

  When a new corporation is legally established, its foundational document, often called the "Articles of Incorporation" or "Articles of Association," contains various distinct provisions. These provisions typically detail the company's official name, its primary business purpose, the types and number of shares it is authorized to issue, and the initial composition of its board of directors. Each of these separate, defined provisions within the document represents an *articuli*, a distinct "item" or "point" that legally structures the company.

• Example 3: Historical Legal Codes

  Consider a historical legal code from centuries past, such as a collection of royal decrees or a compilation of common laws. Such a document would typically be organized into distinct chapters or numbered paragraphs, each addressing a specific area of law or a particular regulation. For example, one section might detail laws concerning property ownership, another might cover rules for trade, and a third could outline punishments for certain offenses. Each of these individual, self-contained sections, presenting specific legal points, would have been referred to as *articuli*, signifying separate "articles" or "items" of law within the larger code.