Legal Definitions - determination

Definition: Determination is a final decision made by a court or administrative agency. It can also refer to the ending or expiration of an estate or interest in property, or of a right, power, or authority.

• The court's determination of the issue was that the defendant was guilty.
• The Social SecurityAdministration made an initial determination of the person's eligibility for benefits.
• The easement's determination after four years meant that it was no longer valid.

These examples illustrate how determination is a final decision made by a court or administrative agency. In the first example, the court made a determination of guilt. In the second example, the Social Security Administration made an initial determination of eligibility. In the third example, the determination was the ending of the easement after four years.