Simple English definitions for legal terms
Read a random definition: Mens Rea
Term: FACULTIES
Definition: Faculties are special permissions given to someone to do something that they would not normally be allowed to do. In the past, it was also used to refer to a husband's ability to pay alimony to his wife. This term is often used in the context of historical ecclesiastical law.
Definition: In historical ecclesiastical law, faculties refer to:
Example 1: A priest may be granted faculties to perform certain sacraments, such as marriage or confession, in a diocese where they are not officially assigned.
Example 2: In a divorce case, the court may consider the husband's faculties, or their ability to pay alimony, when determining the amount of support to be awarded to the wife.
These examples illustrate how faculties can refer to both legal permissions and financial abilities. In both cases, faculties are granted or considered in order to allow or restrict certain actions or outcomes.