Legal Definitions - fix

The term "fix" has several distinct meanings in a legal context, primarily as a verb:

• To Establish a Rate or Condition:

  To formally set or determine a specific rate, price, or condition that will apply to an agreement, transaction, or situation.

  • Example 1: When a bank offers a mortgage, they might state, "The interest rate on this loan is fixed at 4.5% for the first five years."

    Explanation: This illustrates the bank formally setting a specific, unchanging interest rate for a defined period, which is a key condition of the loan agreement.

  • Example 2: A construction company submits a bid for a new office building, stating, "The total project cost is fixed at $10 million, barring unforeseen changes requested by the client."

    Explanation: Here, "fixed" means the company has formally established a definitive price for the entire construction project, providing a clear financial expectation for the client.

• To Assign Responsibility or Liability:

  To legally determine or attribute responsibility, blame, or legal obligation to a particular individual or entity.

  • Example 1: After reviewing all evidence in a car accident case, the court ruled that the driver who ran the red light was solely responsible, thereby fixing liability on them for the damages.

    Explanation: This shows the court formally assigning legal responsibility for the accident and its consequences to a specific party based on the evidence presented.

  • Example 2: In a breach of contract dispute, the arbitrator determined that Company A failed to deliver goods as promised, thus fixing responsibility for the breach on Company A.

    Explanation: This demonstrates the arbitrator legally identifying which party is accountable for failing to uphold their obligations under the contract.

• To Illegally Manipulate Prices (Price-Fixing):

  To unlawfully conspire or agree with competitors to control or set prices for goods or services, rather than allowing fair market competition to determine them. This is a violation of antitrust laws.

  • Example 1: Executives from three major electronics manufacturers secretly met to agree on a minimum selling price for their new line of smartphones, effectively fixing prices across the market.

    Explanation: This illustrates an illegal agreement between competing companies to artificially control prices, preventing consumers from benefiting from competitive pricing.

  • Example 2: Several local bakeries were investigated for allegedly fixing the price of wedding cakes, ensuring that no bakery would offer a significantly lower price than the others.

    Explanation: This describes a scenario where businesses collude to eliminate price competition, which is an illegal practice designed to inflate profits at the expense of consumers.

• To Illegally Influence an Outcome:

  To improperly or unlawfully manipulate the result of an event, competition, or process, often through bribery, coercion, or deception.

  • Example 1: A gambler was arrested for attempting to bribe a referee to make calls in favor of a particular team, thereby trying to fix the outcome of the basketball game.

    Explanation: This shows an illegal attempt to corrupt the integrity of a competition by influencing its result through unethical means.

  • Example 2: Allegations surfaced that a political campaign had paid individuals to tamper with voting machines in certain districts, in an effort to fix the election results.

    Explanation: This describes an illegal act of manipulating a democratic process to predetermine the outcome, undermining the fairness and legitimacy of the election.