Legal Definitions - chair

In a legal and organizational context, the term chair primarily refers to the individual who presides over a meeting or leads a committee or organization. This person is responsible for guiding discussions, maintaining order, and ensuring that established rules and procedures are followed. The term can also refer to the specific position of authority held by this individual, or even the physical seat from which they conduct the proceedings.

Sometimes, if the regular presiding officer is unavailable, a temporary leader might be appointed or elected to serve in their place. This temporary leader is often referred to as the chair pro tempore, meaning "for the time being."

Here are a few examples illustrating the use of "chair":

• During a contentious city council meeting discussing a new zoning proposal, the council president, acting as the chair, had to repeatedly remind members to stick to the agenda and respect speaking times. This example demonstrates "chair" referring to the individual who is actively presiding over a deliberative assembly, responsible for maintaining order and guiding the discussion.

• At the annual general meeting of a homeowners' association, the secretary announced that due to the president's illness, the vice-president would "take the chair" for the duration of the meeting. Here, "take the chair" signifies assuming the role and authority of the presiding officer, which also implies occupying the designated physical position from which the meeting is led.

• The university's English Department decided to form a new curriculum review committee, and Professor Anya Sharma was appointed as the chair of this committee. Her role involves coordinating the committee's work, leading its meetings, and presenting its recommendations to the full department. This illustrates "chair" as the designated leader of a specific group or committee within a larger organization, responsible for its direction and output.