Legal Definitions - follow

In a legal context, to "follow" means to adhere to, comply with, or accept as authoritative a previous decision, rule, or established legal principle. It signifies acting in accordance with a binding precedent, a specific law, or a court order.

• Court Adhering to Precedent:

  Imagine a state appellate court reviewing a case concerning property rights. The appellate court is expected to follow the legal interpretations and rulings previously established by the state's Supreme Court on similar property rights issues. This means it will apply those higher court decisions as binding authority in the current case, ensuring consistency and predictability in the law.

• Compliance with Regulations:

  Consider a pharmaceutical company developing a new drug and submitting it for approval. The company must follow all the stringent regulations and guidelines set forth by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding drug testing, manufacturing, and labeling. Failure to comply with these authoritative rules would prevent the drug from being approved for public use.

• Obeying a Court Order:

  After a divorce settlement, one parent is ordered to pay child support. The parent is legally required to follow the court's order by making the specified child support payments on time and in the correct amount. This demonstrates accepting the court's directive as a binding authority that must be obeyed.