Legal Definitions - block

In a legal context, the term block can refer to two distinct concepts:

1. A distinct parcel of land within a city or town, typically rectangular or irregular in shape, that is completely surrounded by streets or other public thoroughfares.

• Example 1: The city council approved a zoning change for a specific block downtown to allow for the construction of a new mixed-use development, which would include residential units, retail spaces, and offices, all contained within the boundaries of the existing streets.

  Explanation: This example illustrates a "block" as a defined geographical area in a city, enclosed by streets, that is subject to specific planning and development regulations.

• Example 2: During a public protest, demonstrators marched several blocks from the courthouse to the city hall, moving along the designated streets and passing distinct sections of buildings and land until they reached their destination.

  Explanation: Here, "blocks" are used as units of distance, each representing a segment of the urban landscape bounded by intersecting streets, demonstrating its use as a measure of municipal area.

2. A substantial quantity of items, often financial assets or goods, that are grouped and treated as a single unit for the purpose of a transaction or management.

• Example 1: An institutional investor purchased a large block of common stock in a technology company, acquiring 500,000 shares in a single transaction rather than buying them individually over time.

  Explanation: This demonstrates "block" as a significant quantity of financial instruments (shares) that are bought or sold together as one large unit, often indicating a major transaction.

• Example 2: A real estate developer acquired an entire block of undeveloped land, consisting of five adjacent lots, with the intention of building a new residential subdivision across the whole parcel.

  Explanation: In this scenario, "block" refers to a consolidated group of individual land parcels (lots) that are purchased and managed as a single, larger unit for a development project.

• Example 3: A government agency issued a tender for a block of medical supplies, specifying a requirement for 10,000 surgical masks, 5,000 gowns, and 2,000 face shields to be delivered as one complete order.

  Explanation: This example uses "block" to describe a predefined, substantial quantity of different goods that are procured together as a single, unified order.