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Simple English definitions for legal terms

cy pres doctrine

Read a random definition: make-whole doctrine

A quick definition of cy pres doctrine:

The cy pres doctrine is a legal rule that helps distribute charitable gifts when the original recipient is not available or the gift is no longer possible. It means "as near as possible." Instead of canceling the gift, the court can choose a new recipient that is similar to the original intention of the donor. For example, if someone left money to a charity that no longer exists, the court can give the money to a similar charity that fulfills the same purpose. This rule can also be used in class action lawsuits when it's not practical to give money to every person involved. Instead, the court can choose a charity that relates to the issue and helps people in different areas.

A more thorough explanation:

The cy pres doctrine is a legal principle used by courts to distribute charitable gifts when the intended beneficiary is unavailable or the bequest is no longer feasible. The term "cy pres" means "as near as possible." Instead of invalidating the charitable gift, the court can select a new beneficiary that closely corresponds to the original intent of the donor.

  • If a person sets up a trust with the intention that, after the death of their last living relative, the remaining trust funds go to a specific charity that no longer exists, the court may direct the funds toward a similar charity that fulfills the general charitable intent of the donor.
  • In a class action lawsuit, if funds go unclaimed or distributing the funds to every individual class member is not cost-effective, the court may approve a beneficiary, such as a charitable organization, that relates to the issue underlying the class action and accounts for the geographic diversity of the class members.

These examples illustrate how the cy pres doctrine allows courts to ensure that charitable gifts are still used for their intended purpose, even if the original beneficiary is no longer available or feasible. By selecting a new beneficiary that closely corresponds to the donor's intent, the court can still fulfill the charitable purpose of the gift.

Customs Court | cy pres: charitable trusts

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got a random stanford email and almost had a heart attack
ALSO CONGRATS!
Congrats1!
21:15
Miami A, yall I'm so excited I could cry.
21:15
Feel like I can finally stop holding my breath!! Whew!!!
[] baddestbunny
22:16
every time I get accosted by a strange man who follows me around because my male coworkers were too busy talking to walk me back to my car I get closer to saying we need to bring back traditional gender roles
Dkk
22:32
Nice! @Macaque
Dkk
22:32
@Aromatic, Have to guess.
Dkk
22:33
That sucks @Bunny do you have to go to the hospital?
[] baddestbunny
22:40
I said accosted not assaulted
23:35
guys. my notre dame address just went long is this good or bad
1a2b3c4d26z
23:37
Oooooo me too
23:37
omg is this good or bad
Dkk
23:47
Idk if gender roles are gunna fix that then.
23:49
it looks like most people who applied in october last cycle didn't get a decision until january... does it even mean anything that our addresses went long??
hows ED 2 compared to ED 1?
Dkk
0:10
No idea
windyMagician
0:34
reporting live to say my ndls address also went long
does it mean anything ^
Dkk
2:21
NDLS and Fordham took a very long time last year. It's good info for people to know.
[] baddestbunny
4:29
let’s get after it boys and girls
Dkk
5:21
I gtg to bed soon.
Dkk
5:22
Big day today. Gunna be a crazy one. I will sleep through the first half.
good morning lsd it is 5 am EST
also jazzy my ndls address went long ages ago i sadly do not think it means anything
my stanford address also went long LOL i think at most it's an indicator it's under review
WorthlessAttractiveZombie
7:44
My berkeley paragraph finally disappeared. I definitely think it is just an indicator that they are actively reviewing files, and does not mean anything about A, WL, or Rs
WorthlessAttractiveZombie
7:46
Also has anyone's date disappeared for W&L? Mine did last night
7:55
@WorthlessAttractiveZombie: mine did yesterday morning
7:56
Oops sorry I meant Vilanova. Mine disappeared last week
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