Legal Definitions - convene

To convene means to formally call people together for a meeting, assembly, or session. It implies an official summons or arrangement for individuals or groups to gather for a specific purpose, such as discussion, decision-making, or a formal proceeding.

While historically "convene" had specific legal meanings related to summoning parties to court, its most common usage today, even in legal contexts, refers to the act of bringing people together for a formal gathering.

• Example 1: After a sudden economic downturn, the state's Governor decided to convene a special session of the legislature to address an emergency budget shortfall.

  Explanation: Here, the Governor formally called all the elected representatives to assemble at the capitol to discuss and vote on the budget, demonstrating the act of bringing a group together for a specific official purpose.

• Example 2: The CEO announced that the company's board of directors would convene next month to vote on a proposed acquisition.

  Explanation: This illustrates the CEO officially calling the board members to gather at a specific time and place to deliberate and make a decision about the acquisition, which is a formal assembly.

• Example 3: Following a complex investigation into alleged public corruption, the district attorney requested the court to convene a grand jury.

  Explanation: In this context, the court formally assembles a group of citizens (the grand jury) to hear evidence and decide whether criminal charges should be brought, which is a classic example of convening a formal body for a legal purpose.