Legal Definitions - commissary

A "commissary" can refer to two distinct concepts:

• A person who is officially appointed or authorized to act as a representative or delegate, often performing a specific duty on behalf of a higher authority.
• A place, typically a store or a dining facility, especially one found within a larger institution like a military base, prison, or a large industrial complex.

Here are some examples illustrating these meanings:

• Example 1 (Person): When a humanitarian crisis erupted in a remote region, the United Nations Secretary-General appointed a special commissary to coordinate relief efforts and negotiate access with local authorities. This individual was empowered to represent the UN's interests and make critical decisions on the ground.

  Explanation: In this scenario, the special commissary is a person delegated with specific duties and authority by a superior (the UN Secretary-General) to act as a representative.

• Example 2 (Person): A large multinational corporation, facing a complex legal dispute in a foreign country, appointed a senior legal executive as its commissary to oversee the litigation process. This executive was given broad authority to hire local counsel and make strategic decisions on behalf of the company's CEO.

  Explanation: Here, the executive functions as a commissary by being delegated specific duties and authority by a superior (the CEO) to represent the company's interests in a particular legal matter.

• Example 3 (Place): At the state penitentiary, inmates could use funds from their accounts to purchase approved items like snacks, toiletries, and writing supplies from the prison commissary. This facility served as the primary retail outlet for personal necessities within the institution.

  Explanation: This example demonstrates a commissary as a general store located within an institution (a prison) where specific items are sold to its residents.

• Example 4 (Place): During the construction of a new hydroelectric dam in a remote area, a temporary building was set up as the workers' commissary. It provided hot meals, a small convenience store for essentials, and a common area for the crew to gather during breaks.

  Explanation: This illustrates a commissary as both a dining facility and a general store, established within a temporary institutional setting (a construction site) to serve its personnel.