Legal Definitions - compellable

Compellable describes a person or entity that can be legally forced or required to take a specific action, such as providing testimony, producing documents, or fulfilling a duty, often by a court or other legal authority.

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• Witness in a Civil Lawsuit: Imagine a situation where two businesses are involved in a contract dispute. A former employee of one of the businesses possesses crucial information about the contract negotiations. Even if this former employee prefers not to get involved, they could be declared a compellable witness. This means a court could issue a subpoena, legally requiring them to appear in court and provide testimony under oath, whether they want to or not.

• Production of Documents in an Investigation: A government regulatory agency is investigating a pharmaceutical company for potential violations of safety standards. The agency believes the company's internal research data and emails contain vital evidence. The company would be compellable to produce these documents. This means the agency, through legal process, can force the company to hand over the requested records, even if the company would prefer to keep them private.

• Jury Duty: In many countries, eligible citizens are expected to serve on a jury when called upon. If you receive a summons for jury duty, you are generally considered compellable to serve. Unless you have a legally recognized exemption (like a severe medical condition or extreme hardship), you are legally required to report for jury selection and, if chosen, participate in the trial. You cannot simply refuse without facing potential legal consequences.