Legal Definitions - duty-bound

Duty-bound describes a situation where an individual is compelled or required to perform a specific action due to a legal mandate, a professional responsibility, or a strong moral principle.

Here are some examples illustrating this concept:

• A doctor is duty-bound to maintain the confidentiality of their patients' medical information, except in very specific circumstances defined by law. This means they have a professional and legal obligation to keep private what they learn about a patient's health, ensuring trust and protecting privacy.

• A corporate board member is duty-bound to act in the best financial interest of the company and its shareholders, not their own personal gain. This legal and ethical obligation requires them to make decisions that prioritize the company's well-being over any individual benefit they might receive.

• A parent is often considered duty-bound to provide for the basic needs of their minor children, including food, shelter, and education. This obligation stems from both legal requirements (child support laws) and widely accepted moral and societal expectations regarding parental responsibility.