Legal Definitions - dictate

The term "dictate" carries two distinct meanings, both relevant in legal and professional contexts:

• To pronounce orally for transcription: This refers to the act of speaking words aloud for another person to write down, type, or record. It implies the speaker is providing content that will be formally documented by someone else.

  • Example: A judge, while presiding over a trial, might dictate an immediate order from the bench to the court reporter, who then transcribes every word into the official court record. This demonstrates the judge orally providing the precise language for a formal legal document.

• To order or command authoritatively: This meaning refers to having the power or authority to control, determine, or impose terms or conditions, often in a way that leaves little room for negotiation or disagreement. It implies a strong directive or a controlling influence over a situation or outcome.

  • Example 1: A new state statute might dictate the minimum wage and working conditions for all employees within that state. Here, the law is authoritatively commanding or setting the mandatory standards that employers must follow, leaving no discretion for individual businesses to set lower wages.

  • Example 2: In a settlement agreement following a lawsuit, the court may dictate the specific terms under which a defendant must pay damages and cease certain activities. This illustrates the court's power to authoritatively impose the conditions that both parties must adhere to in order to resolve the legal dispute.