Simple English definitions for legal terms
Read a random definition: Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act of 1988
Director: A person who is chosen by the owners of a company to be part of a group called the board of directors. The board of directors makes important decisions for the company. Directors have to be careful, honest, and do what is best for the company. Some directors work for the company and help run it every day, while others just watch and make sure everything is going well.
In a corporation, a director is a person appointed or elected by the shareholders to sit on the board of directors. The board of directors is responsible for making important decisions about the company, such as setting goals, making policies, and overseeing the work of the company's executives.
There are two types of directors:
Directors act as agents and trustees for the corporation, and have the duty to act with care, loyalty, and goodwill in all acts done on behalf of the corporation. This means that directors must make decisions that are in the best interests of the company and its shareholders, and not for their own personal gain.
For example, if a company is considering a merger with another company, the board of directors would be responsible for making the final decision. The executive directors would provide information about the financial and operational aspects of the merger, while the non-executive directors would provide oversight and ensure that the decision is in the best interests of the company and its shareholders.