Legal Definitions - enable

Enable

In a legal context, to enable means to grant the necessary authority, power, or means for someone or something to perform an action or achieve a specific outcome. It involves providing the legal basis or practical capacity for an action to occur.

Here are some examples:

• Example 1: A clause in a last will and testament might enable the appointed executor to sell the deceased's real estate without needing further court approval, provided the proceeds are used to pay debts or distributed to beneficiaries.

  Explanation: In this scenario, the will legally grants the executor the specific power and authority to carry out the sale, making them able to perform this action as part of their duties.

• Example 2: A newly passed federal statute could enable a government agency to establish and enforce new safety regulations for a particular industry.

  Explanation: The statute provides the legal foundation and authority for the agency to create and implement these regulations, empowering it to act in an area where it previously might not have had jurisdiction.

• Example 3: A commercial contract for software development might include a provision that enables the client to use the developed software across multiple business units once the final payment is made.

  Explanation: This contractual term grants the client the specific right and permission to utilize the software in a particular way, making them legally able to deploy it throughout their organization.