Legal Definitions - executive

Executive

The term "executive" primarily refers to two distinct concepts: a branch of government responsible for implementing and enforcing laws, or a high-level manager within a private organization.

Governmental Executive

In government, the executive branch is one of the three main divisions of power, alongside the legislative (law-making) and judicial (law-interpreting) branches. Its primary role is to carry out and enforce the laws passed by the legislature. The individual who leads this branch is often called the chief executive.

• Example 1: After a state legislature passes a new law requiring all public schools to implement a specific anti-bullying program, the state's Department of Education, which falls under the governor's (the chief executive's) authority, develops detailed guidelines and procedures for schools to follow. It then oversees the implementation of these programs across the state.

  Explanation: Here, the Department of Education and the Governor's office collectively represent the executive branch. Their actions of creating guidelines and overseeing implementation demonstrate their role in "effecting and enforcing" the law passed by the legislature.

• Example 2: The President of a country, acting as the chief executive, directs federal agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop and enforce new regulations aimed at reducing industrial pollution, based on existing environmental laws.

  Explanation: The President is the chief executive, and the EPA is an executive agency operating under the executive branch. Their work in creating and enforcing regulations directly illustrates the executive function of carrying out and administering laws.

Corporate Executive

In a business context, an executive refers to a senior manager or officer within a company who holds significant decision-making authority and responsibility for the organization's strategic direction and operations.

• Example: The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of a multinational technology company makes the final decision on a major investment in a new research and development facility, after reviewing financial projections and market analyses prepared by their team.

  Explanation: The CFO is a corporate executive because they occupy a high-level management position with the authority to make critical strategic decisions that impact the company's financial future.