Legal Definitions - bona fide

The term bona fide describes something done or held in "good faith," meaning it is genuine, sincere, and without any intention to deceive or defraud. When an action or a person is described as bona fide, it implies honesty, integrity, and a lack of hidden motives or ulterior purposes. It signifies that a party is acting truthfully and legitimately, based on their honest belief or intention.

• For instance, imagine someone purchases a rare antique vase from a reputable dealer at a fair market price, having no reason to suspect that the vase was previously stolen. The buyer conducted reasonable checks and believed the dealer had the legal right to sell it. In this situation, the buyer would be considered a bona fide purchaser. This means they acquired the item in good faith, genuinely believing they were buying it legitimately, without any knowledge of its illicit past. Their honest intent protects them from certain claims regarding the vase's original ownership.

• Consider a situation where a company is hiring for a position that requires extensive travel to remote international locations. If the company states that applicants must be physically capable of enduring long flights and challenging environments, and this requirement is genuinely necessary for the job's core duties, it would be a bona fide occupational requirement. This signifies that the requirement is legitimate and essential for performing the job, not a pretext for discrimination or an arbitrary barrier. The company's intention is honest and directly related to the job's demands.